Odisha Reports Alarming Rise in Communal Violence and Mob Lynching Cases

Overview of Communal Violence in Odisha

On Monday, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi disclosed that the state has witnessed 54 incidents of communal riots and seven mob lynching cases from June 2024 to February, according to reports.

Majhi, who leads the Bharatiya Janata Party government that took office on June 12, 2024, highlighted that Balasore district experienced the highest number of communal riots, totaling 24 incidents. Following closely was Khurda district, which includes Bhubaneswar, with 16 reported cases.

The police have detained 298 individuals in connection with these riots, although charges have been filed in less than half of the cases, as noted by Majhi.

The seven mob lynching incidents occurred across four districts: Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Balasore, and Rayagada, with 61 arrests made in these cases.

Majhi provided this information in response to a question from Biju Janata Dal leader Goutam Buddha Das during an Assembly session.

In his address, Majhi mentioned that measures have been implemented to avert future incidents, including the establishment of peace committees in various police jurisdictions.

He also indicated that intelligence gathering has been enhanced, and strict actions are being enforced against individuals attempting to disrupt societal peace.

Over the past 20 months, curfews and internet suspensions have been enforced in six towns due to communal unrest, with reports suggesting that many offenders are linked to Hindutva groups.

The Opposition has criticized the BJP government for the escalating communal tensions within the state.