Raighar, 26th Sept 2025: It has been 14 years since the brutal murder of late MLA Jagabandhu Majhi, who was a prominent tribal leader and held leadership within the BJD government. As in previous years, a memorial meeting has been scheduled to take place today at Gona Hatpada, where the incident occurred.
To mark the 14th anniversary of the assassination, a memorial procession and tribute will be organized at the Martyr’s Pillar in Gona Hatpada on September 24. While many years have passed, the investigation file remains pending, and there is a growing demand for the case to be reopened and the real culprits exposed.
With the BJP now in power in the state, there is speculation that the Jagabandhu Majhi murder case might finally be revisited and justice served.
Jagabandhu Majhi was known for fighting for tribal rights and rural development. In 1999 and 2000, he led movements uniting people around the preservation of tribal traditions and land rights. He later joined the BJD in Umerkote in front of a large gathering of Dalit communities and won the 2009 general election as an MLA.
However, on September 24, 2011, while attending a land patta (ownership title) distribution event for tribals at Gona Hatpada in Raighar block, he was shot dead by two unidentified assailants who fled the scene immediately. Along with him, his bodyguard Prashant Patra was also martyred in the gun attack.
Following the incident, the investigation was handed over to the Crime Branch, which began a probe. Initial reports suggested possible Maoist involvement, and based on eyewitness accounts, the Crime Branch released two suspect sketches and announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to their capture.
Despite this, no breakthrough has been achieved, and the case remains unresolved even after 14 years.
Jagabandhu Majhi’s life was marked by struggle, starting with advocacy for tribal land rights. During the Dalit and Bengali land disputes, tensions escalated into riots and casualties. Jagabandhu had become a widely discussed and respected figure during that time.