48-Hour Bandh Disrupts Normal Life in Mayurbhanj’s Bamanghati Over Arrest of Tribal Villagers

Baripada: A 48-hour bandh called by the Adivasi Ekta Manch has brought normal life to a standstill across the Bamanghati subdivision in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. The shutdown began at 6 am on Friday and will continue till 6 am on March 22, with the organisation demanding the immediate release of 34 tribal villagers arrested following a clash with police.

According to the Manch, the unrest originated from an alleged misconduct involving a minor tribal girl by a youth from a minority community in the Tiring police station area under Bahalda block. In protest, villagers had staged a demonstration near Murmu Chhak under Bahalda police limits.

The situation reportedly escalated when police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. In retaliation, agitated villagers allegedly attacked police personnel, leaving at least 13 officers seriously injured.

Following the incident, police arrested 34 villagers and produced them in court. The Adivasi Ekta Manch has termed the arrests unjust and is demanding their unconditional release. The organisation had earlier staged a two-day mass protest in front of the Bamanghati sub-collector’s office.

The bandh has received support from around 15 tribal organisations, significantly impacting daily life in several areas, including Rairangpur, Gorumahisani, Bisoi, Bijatala, Bahalda, Tiring, Jamda, Kusumi, and Badampahar.

Shops, markets, educational institutions, government and private offices, transport services, and mining operations have remained closed during the shutdown. The organisers have appealed to the public to cooperate, while authorities continue to monitor the situation to maintain law and order.