RAYAGADA, INDIA – The town of Rayagada in the Indian state of Odisha came to a standstill on Friday as protestors called for a CBI probe into the mysterious death of Laxmi Majhi, a tribal woman whose half-burnt body was found on the premises of Chandrapur community health center on December 21. The bandh was organized by Zilla Adivasi Mahasangh and the local BJP, paralyzing normal life and bringing vehicular traffic to a halt.
According to the protestors, police and the Crime Branch have made little progress in the investigation, leaving the death of Laxmi and two other tribal youth leaders, Bhagirathi Mandangi and Purushottam Gamango, shrouded in mystery. Mandangi and Gamango died under similar circumstances in 2010 and 2019, respectively.
The demand for a CBI probe into the three deaths comes as the tribal community seeks justice and resolution for the deceased and their families. The protestors have warned of escalating their demonstrations if justice is not provided soon.
Laxmi, a physically challenged woman, had been working as a warden in ‘Maa Gruha’ on Chandrapur CHC premises for the last five years. Her family members allege that she was raped and set ablaze by miscreants to destroy evidence, sparking outrage and calls for a thorough investigation.
The administration deployed a large number of police personnel to ensure the bandh passed off peacefully, and a team from the Crime Branch visited Chandrapur CHC to gather forensic evidence from the room where Laxmi’s body was found.
The protestors’ frustration with the lack of progress in solving the mysterious deaths of Laxmi, Bhagirathi Mandangi, and Purushottam Gamango reflects the growing demand for justice and resolution within the tribal community in Rayagada. As the investigation continues, the call for a CBI probe intensifies while the community awaits answers and closure for the families of the deceased.