Malkangiri,19th July 2025 : The bandh called by the Indian National Congress over the untimely death of Soumyashree Bishi has had a visible impact in Malkangiri district. Party workers raised slogans against the deteriorating law and order situation and demanded punishment for the real culprits as well as the resignation of the Chief Minister.
Chitrakonda MLA Shri Mangu Khul stated that under BJP rule, the law and order situation has worsened, and the administration has failed to maintain order. As part of the bandh, Malkangiri district Congress peacefully blocked National Highway 326 at Govindapalli, a key route connecting Koraput and Malkangiri districts.
According to sources, many senior Congress leaders participated in the protest, including Chitrakonda MLA Mangu Khul, Malkangiri District Congress President Shrinivas Rao, veteran leader Govind Patra, MLA representative Isaac Khosla (Chitrakonda), Niranjan Raju (Khairput), Daya Chalan, Doitari Pangi, Dibakar Suna, and various other district Congress members. They paid tribute to Soumyashree and criticized the state government for its incompetence and failure to uphold law and order.
They stated, “In today’s time, our daughters and daughters-in-law are not safe. We have observed today’s bandh in a peaceful manner. If the government does not provide justice to Soumyashree and restore law and order, this movement will intensify in the future.”
The bandh and protest were observed from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Its impact was seen across multiple locations in the district including Balimela, Khairput, Govindapalli, Mathili, Malkangiri town, and Kalimela.