Odisha witnessed 54 communal riots, 7 mob lynchings since June 2024: CM Mohan Charan Majhi tells Assembly

BHUBANESWAR: Around 54 communal riots and seven mob lynching incidents were reported in Odisha between June 2024 and February 2026, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Assembly on Monday.

In a written reply to a question from Goutam Buddha Das (BJD), the chief minister said communal riots were confined to only five districts – Balasore, Khurda, Koraput, Majhi informed that police have arrested 298 and 61 people for their alleged involvement in riots and mob lynching incidents respectively, in the last 20 months.

“The highest number of 24 communal riots were reported from Balasore district in which 95 people were arrested during the period,” he said.

The chief minister further informed that 16 communal riot cases were reported from Khurda district in which 120 people were arrested. He said that in eight riot cases reported from Koraput district, police arrested 33 people. Malkangiri and Bhadrak districts also reported four and two incidents of riots for which 26Steps have been taken to prevent communal riots and mob lynching incidents and peace committees formed in various places for the purpose. Efforts are being made by the local administration to maintain harmony among communities. Action is being taken against those who are trying to disturb peace and harmony by collecting secret information,” the chief minister said.

He added that legal action is also being taken against persons involved in mob lynching and awareness programmes are being conducted to prevent such incidents.