Archive · 15 Dec 2025
Odisha: Tribal-Bengali Violence Over Land Dispute
In Odisha, India, a tribal woman was killed, and her body was found without a head.
This led to fights between the local tribes and Bengali settlers.
The Bengali settlers had moved to the area many years ago.
The tribes say the settlers took their land, while the settlers say they have proper documents.
The police and government are trying to calm the situation.
The internet was turned off for a week to stop rumors, and the government is helping people whose houses were burned.
This is not the first time such violence has happened in the area.
A 51-year-old Koya tribal woman, Lake Podiami, was murdered, and her headless body was found on December 4, with her head discovered six days later.
Violence erupted between tribal communities and Bengali settlers, leading to the burning of over 200 houses and deployment of armed police forces.
Internet services were suspended from December 8 to December 15 to curb the spread of rumors and misinformation.
The district administration held peace talks, and both sides agreed to maintain peace, leading to the withdrawal of prohibitory orders.
Relief and rehabilitation work has been launched, with property damage assessed at around Rs 3.8 crore, and 18 arrests made in connection with the violence.
- Who
- Koya tribal woman and Bengali settlers in Malkangiri district
- What
- Murder of a tribal woman and subsequent violence over land dispute
- When
- December 4-8, 2023
- Where
- Malkangiri district, Odisha, India
- Why
- Long-standing tensions over land and economic marginalization between tribals and Bengali settlers
- Location
- Malkangiri district, Odisha
- Victim
- Lake Podiami (51), Koya tribal woman
- Incident Date
- December 4-8, 2023
- Internet Suspension Duration
- December 8 to December 15, 2023
- Police Forces Deployed
- BSF, CRPF
- Property Damage
- Rs 3.8 crore
- Arrests Made
- 18
- Historical Context
- Rehabilitation of Bengali-speaking Bangladeshis (1968)
