Nabarangpur Malkangiri district remains backward in all sectors. Despite repeated demands to the government for development in education, health, transportation, irrigation, industry, employment, language, and culture, there has been continued neglect, as alleged in a recent meeting. Though the new government had promised appointment of district officials, it failed to implement the commitment. The meeting emphasized that the formation of a separate state is now essential for the progress and future of the undivided Koraput region.
A press conference was held on Friday at the Amala Bhawan in Nabarangpur by the Central Action Committee, demanding the declaration of a new state from the undivided Koraput district. The meeting, presided over by Lalit Mohan Nayak, discussed the proposal to form a new state by separating Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, and Malkangiri districts.
Many freedom fighters from the undivided Koraput region have laid down their lives for the country. It’s been 89 years since the formation of Odisha as a state and 78 years since India gained independence, yet Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada remain underdeveloped.
Meetings will be held in every block of the four districts as part of this campaign to engage the local population. Attendees at the press conference included Lalit Mohan Nayak, Bhagaban Bairagi, senior citizen and forum president Radhanath Behera, writer Jemamani Bishyoi, lawyer Ram Prasad Patra, president of the Undivided Koraput District Native Development Council Chandradhwaj Majhi, Bhottada Development Council advisor Arjun Bhottada, chairman of the Christian Minority Council Sudhir Patra, committee member Dibakar Pujari, women’s forum president Manashwini Takri, coordinator Sanatan Dash, vice-chairman Pradeepta Takri, organizational secretary Prabir Patra, and advisor Shishir Paricha, among others.
To strengthen the organization and build a movement, demands will be submitted to the government for the formation of a new, separate state. A Central Action Committee and district-level committees have been formed with representatives from all four districts for this purpose.