Malkangiri Violence: Headless Body Sparks Clashes, Internet Shutdown Amid Ongoing Tensions
Image Source: Internet
A woman's headless body found in a river has sparked widespread violence in Odisha's Malkangiri district, leaving 163 houses damaged and prompting an internet shutdown. The clashes, which erupted on Thursday, have since subsided with security forces deployed to maintain order. According to officials, the violence was sparked by the discovery of the woman's body in the Poteru river, with tensions escalating as anti-social elements spread inflammatory messages on social media. In response, the state government imposed a ban on social media access, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X, from December 8 to 12 PM on December 10. A scientific team, sniffer-dog squad, and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed to search for the missing head and gather evidence. Talks between the two communities have led to an agreement, with representatives named for a peace committee meeting. The state government has also announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the victim's family, with ₹30,000 already given to the woman's son. The last rites were performed after the post-mortem on Monday.
