GROUP CLASH IN MALKANGIRI Internet suspended after fresh unrest

DGP YB KHURANIA REVIEWS SITUATION PROHIBITORY ORDER IMPOSED IN 2 VILLAGES OPPN RAISES ISSUE IN ASSEMBLY SESSION

- PNN & AGENCIES

The administration Monday suspended internet services in Malkangiri district and clamped prohibitory orders in two villages following a clash between two groups over the killing of a tribal woman, whose headless body was recovered from a river.

Both sides wrote to the district administration demanding the arrest of the killer, while the police said security has been tightened in the area and the situation is now under control.

The Opposition raised the issue in the Assembly, accusing the BJP government of failing to prevent the clash Sunday, though tension prevailed in the area following the recovery of the torso of 51-year-old Lake Padiami, a widow, from a riverbank near Rakhelguda village December 4.

The clash took place Sunday afternoon when tribals of Ra-Khalguda village allegedly attacked MV-26 village, a Bengali settlers’ area, under Korukonda Sadar police station area. On Monday, residents of Rakhelguda and members of the tribal community reportedly entered MV-26 village, vandalizing more than 100 houses and setting fire to over 50 of them, police said.

Prohibitory order has been clamped in two villages, while internet services have been suspended for 24 hours in the entire Malkangiri from 6pm Monday, officials said. Thousands of people led by Gouranga Karmakar, the president of Malkangiri Bengali Samaj, demonstrated outside the District Collector’s office demanding action against those who attacked MV-26 village.