Malkangiri Imposes 24-Hour Internet Shutdown After Tribal Clashes Over Woman’s Murder

Malkangiri: The district administration on Monday ordered a 24-hour suspension of internet services from 6 PM, following escalating tensions between two tribal villages after the alleged murder of a woman whose headless body was recovered from a river. Officials said the shutdown aims to curb rumours, prevent mobilisation, and restore order after a day marked by widespread violence.

The unrest began on Sunday when residents of Rakhelguda village launched a retaliatory attack on neighbouring MV-26 under Korkunda police limits. Enraged over the killing of 51-year-old Lake Padiami, a widow from Rakhelguda, hundreds of tribal men and women armed with traditional weapons stormed MV-26. The mob vandalised at least a dozen houses, destroyed vehicles, looted shops, and set four homes on fire, prompting many residents to flee.

The discovery of the woman’s decapitated body on a riverbank last week had deeply angered tribal communities, who have been demanding swift arrests and recovery of the missing head. Rising suspicion and grief soon turned into open confrontation between the two villages.

To contain the situation, the administration deployed additional forces from the Odisha Police and the Border Security Force, along with teams from the Odisha Fire Service and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force. Senior officials — including DIG (South Western Range) Kanwar Vishal Singh, Malkangiri Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, and SP Vinodh Patil H — visited the affected areas and held a peace committee meeting with representatives of both groups.

Police have detained two persons in connection with the case, though many residents of MV-26 are reported to have fled. Heavy security continues to be stationed in the region to prevent further flare-ups.