54 communal riots, 7 mob lynchings in Odisha in final 2 years, CM tells Meeting
2 min learnBhubaneswarUp to date: Mar 9, 2026 06:19 PM IST
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday mentioned that 54 incidents of communal riots and 7 instances of mob lynchings have been reported within the state since June 2024.
In a written reply to the state Meeting, the Chief Minister mentioned the best variety of instances of communal riots, 24, have been reported in Balasore district, adopted by 16 instances in Khurda district, which incorporates the state capital Bhubaneswar.
The CM mentioned almost 300 folks have been arrested for his or her alleged involvement within the riots, whereas a chargesheet was filed in lower than 50% of the instances.
The Chief Minister’s reply, nevertheless, makes no point out of the communal conflict that occurred in Cuttack throughout Durga Puja immersion and thereafter. In October 2025, in an incident that had few precedents within the metropolis, Cuttack noticed a curfew for round three days following communal violence that began with a conflict throughout Durga Puja immersion. Days later, members of the VHP clashed with police and indulged in vandalism and arson.
As Opposition events focused the federal government, alleging a rise in instances of hate crimes and communal clashes, the Chief Minister mentioned steps are being taken to coordinate with completely different communities by peace committees underneath varied police stations and thru the native administration.
Amongst different steps, Majhi mentioned the gathering of intel inputs have been strengthened, and strict motion is being taken in opposition to these making an attempt to disturb peace and order in society.
Previously 20 months, half a dozen cities in Odisha have seen imposition of curfew and Web suspension over communal incidents, together with the lynching of Bengali-speaking Muslims. Most often, the accused have been members of right-wing outfits.
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Officers conceded that some instances could have gone unreported, particularly when victims are each day wagers hesitant to method police.
The Opposition has criticised the federal government over the alleged unfold of “communal pressure” within the state, the place the BJP shaped its first solo authorities in June 2024.
The Nationwide Crime Information Bureau places the variety of communal or religion-based incidents in Odisha at 10 in 2021, 44 in 2023 (pre-election 12 months), and 15 in 2025. Knowledge shared by the Union Ministry of Residence Affairs in Parliament mentioned that Odisha noticed 9 communal incidents in 2018 and nil in 2019.
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