Odisha Malkangiri Collector And Police Super Issues Joint Statement Over The Present Situation.

Malkangiri; December 2025: Malkangiri Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay on Saturday said that peace and normalcy have been maintained in the village where violence broke out following a murder, though, as a precaution, the internet ban has been extended and will remain in effect until Monday noon.

Speaking to reporters, Upadhyay said, “The violence that occurred in the village, centered around a murder, and the subsequent efforts by the administration and police to restore peace and normalcy, have been maintained for several days now“.

He stated that the administration assessed the losses caused during the violence and, after assessing that the total damages amounted to Rs. 3.34 Crores, they submitted the report to the government.

“An assessment of the damage in the village, amounting to approximately Rs 3.34 crore, has been submitted to the government. Additionally, an assessment of Rs. 40 Lakhs has been submitted for the structural damage“, he said. Upadhyay added that immediate relief was provided to the victim’s family. “Furthermore, the son of the deceased was immediately given Rs 30 thousand from the CMRF. An additional Rs. 4.00 Lakh has been recommended from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund“, he said.

The Collector said relief and restoration work is continuing in the affected village, saying, “Relief work is underway in the village. Electricity connections to 106 houses that were damaged have been restored. The damaged water supply pipes have also been repaired“.

On restrictions, Upadhyay said prohibitory orders have been eased. “BNSS Section 163 has been lifted from the village, some measures are still in place as a precaution. However, as a precaution, the internet ban has been extended for thirty-six hours, which will remain in effect until Monday 12:00 Noon”.

On Thursday, Odisha Law and Water Resources Minister Suresh Pujari said the situation in the area is now “completely normal”. “For a long time, the situation was normal except for this particular incident. Violence in Malkangiri was a day-to-day phenomenon in the past. But the recent clash was very unfortunate. Now there’s total normalcy in that area. The dispute between the tribals and non-tribals, which usually erupted as ethnic violence in the past. We are examining that aspect also“, he told Press.

Earlier, the Odisha government had extended the ban on access to social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook and X, in Malkangiri district until 12 pm of December 10. According to officials, clashes erupted soon after the body was found, leading to large-scale damage in the district. The

district administration said 163 houses were damaged during the violence. Security forces have been deployed in the affected areas to maintain order. The last rites were performed after the post-mortem earlier on Monday.

According to a Home Department notification, “anti-social elements” were spreading “false, provocative and inflammatory messages” on WhatsApp, Facebook and X, leading to a threat to public order. According to officials, clashes erupted soon after the body was found, leading to large-scale damage in the district. The district administration said 163 houses were damaged during the violence. Security forces were deployed in the affected areas to maintain order. The Malkangiri Collector had earlier also told reporters that the situation had improved following talks between the two communities.

The Superintendent Of Police, Vinodh Patil has said that the prime accused in the murder case, which sparked recent violent clashes between two villages following the discovery of a headless body in the area, has been arrested, and that the police are working to file the charge sheet at the earliest.

Speaking on the situation, Patil told reporters, “A case in Sadar PS 197/2025, was registered. The prime accused, Subha Ranjan Mandal, has already been arrested and is on trial. We are making every effort to file the charge sheet in this case as quickly as possible, based on complete scientific evidence, and to conduct a fast-track trial”.

He said police and security forces are also taking steps to maintain peace in the area. “To maintain peace and build confidence, we are conducting flag marches in sensitive areas under every police station’s jurisdiction, with the BSF, CRPF, and state forces”. Patil also confirmed action in the rioting case linked to the violence. “A rioting case also occurred. 06 people have been arrested so far in that case, and it will be dealt with according to the law“.

Team Maverick.