The number of arrests in connection with the recent violence and arson in MV-26 village of Odisha’s Malkangiri district has risen to 18, police said on Sunday. Malkangiri Sadar Police have detained the individuals for their alleged involvement in the clashes and house-burning incidents that rocked the area earlier this month.
The unrest stemmed from tensions between residents of MV-26, largely inhabited by Bengali-origin settlers, and neighbouring Rakhalguda village following a murder case. Authorities are continuing to search for others involved.
Meanwhile, the district administration is actively engaging in frequent discussions with leaders from both communities to restore harmony. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been lifted from MV-26 and Rakhalguda villages, signalling improving conditions. Internet services in the district remain suspended until Monday noon as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours.
In a bid to restore harmony, BJP Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi visited both villages today. Majhi first held discussions with leaders from both communities at the Sadar Circuit House in Malkangiri, accompanied by District Collector Somesh Upadhyay and SP Vinod Patil.
Majhi appealed to the representatives to maintain the pre-existing peace and brotherhood, urging a peaceful resolution to the tensions that arose after the decapitated body of Lake Padiami, a 51-year-old Koya tribal widow, was recovered from a riverbank earlier this month. The murder, reportedly linked to a land/sharecropping dispute, triggered clashes where tribal residents allegedly attacked MV-26—a village primarily inhabited by Bengali-origin settlers rehabilitated under the Dandakaranya project in the 1960s—leading to widespread arson and damage to over 200 houses and shops.
During his visit to Rakhalguda, Majhi met the victim’s family, strongly condemning the “barbaric and inhuman” killing, expressing grief, and assuring them of justice and government assistance. He promised that the perpetrators would be punished and support would be provided on behalf of the state.
Later, at MV-26, the MP denounced the arson and vandalism, noting that the administration has assessed the damages. He assured residents that compensation would be provided soon, emphasising that the government is taking the incident seriously. High-level visits, including those by the Deputy Chief Minister, Police DG, ADG, DIG, ministers, and Southern RDC, have been ongoing to ensure peace returns and foster fraternity between the tribal and settler communities.
On the ground, peace is gradually returning to the incident site. Relief materials, including cooked food, blankets, clothing, and essential items, are being distributed to affected families from the very first day. Rehabilitation efforts are ongoing, with electricity connections and a piped drinking water supply restored in every household.
The administration has also provided tarpaulins, utensils, and other necessities. However, the violence has taken a heavy toll on students, with schools from primary to high school levels remaining closed, disrupting education in the area.
Officials expressed optimism about the situation, noting that normalcy is slowly being restored through sustained efforts and community cooperation.
