54 Communal Riot Cases, 7 Mob Lynching Incidents Reported in Odisha Since June 2024: CM

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday informed the Odisha Legislative Assembly that 54 communal riot incidents and seven cases of mob lynching were reported across Odisha between June 2024 and February 2026.

Responding to a written question by BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das, the Chief Minister provided district-wise details of the cases registered at various police stations during the 20-month period following the formation of the BJP government on June 12, 2024.

According to the data presented in the Assembly, communal riot incidents were reported from five districts — Bhadrak, Malkangiri, Balasore, Koraput and Khurda — with a total of 298 persons arrested in connection with the cases.

Among the districts, Balasore recorded the highest number of incidents with 24 riot cases and 95 arrests, followed by Khurda where 16 cases were registered and 120 people were arrested. In Koraput, eight incidents were reported with 33 arrests, while four cases in Malkangiri led to the arrest of 26 persons. Two riot incidents were recorded in Bhadrak, resulting in the arrest of 24 individuals.

The Chief Minister further stated that seven mob lynching cases were reported from Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Balasore and Rayagada districts, leading to the arrest of 61 people. Rayagada reported three incidents with 48 arrests, while one case each was registered in Deogarh and Balasore with six and seven arrests respectively. Two cases were reported in Dhenkanal, though no arrests have been made so far.

Majhi said the state government has taken steps to prevent such incidents, including the formation of peace committees in sensitive areas and strengthening intelligence gathering to identify individuals attempting to disturb communal harmony. He added that strict legal action is being taken against offenders, while awareness campaigns are also being conducted to curb mob lynching related to witchcraft suspicions.