Prayer dispute sparks clash in Odisha’s Malkangiri, five arrested

A dispute over the location of a prayer gathering in Palkonda village of Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Saturday evening escalated into a violent clash between two groups , senior police officials said. Authorities stressed that the incident was religious and ceremonial in nature .

Raj Kishhore Dash, additional superintendent of police (ASP), Malkangiri, said, “The disturbance erupted between the two groups as one majority group asked the other to conduct the prayer in another place on the outskirts of the village, as they had to conduct some puja inside the village. However, the other group objected to it, which led to a heated argument between them.”

In anger, some members of the majority group removed asbestos from the roofs of three houses belonging to the other group. Dash added that the roofs are being restored by the district administration . Police and senior officers quickly rushed to the village, restored normalcy , and deployed two platoons of police (around 60 personnel) to prevent further escalation. A case has been registered against 25 people, including 10 identified individuals; five have been arrested , and searches are ongoing for the others.

On Sunday, a peace committee meeting was convened in the village with representatives of both groups and district officials. “Both groups have agreed to live in peace and harmony with mutual understanding,” the ASP stated.

While this incident was triggered by a local religious dispute , Malkangiri has a history of unrest. In December 2025, clashes erupted in other villages after the recovery of a headless body of a tribal woman , which led to widespread anger, property damage, and deployment of prohibitory orders . Authorities had imposed measures including internet suspension to prevent further escalation. Compensation was later provided by the Odisha government to affected families, highlighting the broader social challenges in the district.