Malkangiri witnessed violent group clashes that destroyed homes and triggered heated debates in the Odisha Assembly during Zero Hour on Monday.
BJD MLA Pratap Deb accused the state government of failing to maintain law and order. He said fifty houses burned during the clashes, yet police failed to respond in time. He criticised the Home Department for remaining unaware of the incident for two days despite reports appearing in newspapers. Deb demanded immediate investigation and accountability from the Chief Minister.
Congress MLA Mangu Khilla highlighted another shocking incident. He said a woman was murdered while harvesting paddy, sparking unrest between Bengali settlers and tribal communities. He noted that police registered only a missing person case initially, and the body was discovered later. Khilla argued that negligence worsened the situation and accused authorities of ignoring early warning signs.
Both parties expressed concern that law and order in Malkangiri continues to deteriorate. They urged the Chief Minister to take direct action and ensure justice for victims. Legislators warned that repeated clashes between communities could destabilise the district further.
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