Malkangiri district witnessed violent unrest after police recovered a woman’s headless body from the Poteru river near Dudumetla.
Consequently, clashes broke out between Rakhelguda and MV-26 villages, leading to widespread destruction.
Authorities identified the victim as Lake Podiami from Rakhelguda. Although her body was found four days ago, her missing head has not yet been recovered. As a result, villagers suspected individuals from MV-26 of involvement in the murder, which fueled anger and retaliation.
On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of residents from Rakhelguda and nearby tribal communities stormed MV-26. They vandalised homes, destroyed furniture, and set several houses on fire. Furthermore, the violence escalated as villagers demanded that the police recover the missing head and arrest the prime accused immediately.
District Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, SP Vinod Patil, and senior administrative officers rushed to the scene. They inspected each house, spoke directly with villagers, and assured them of necessary support. Meanwhile, police and BSF personnel were deployed in large numbers to control the situation.
Later, authorities confirmed that the administration would assess the damage and provide assistance to affected families. In addition, officials urged villagers to maintain peace while investigations continue to identify those responsible for the murder.
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