A 17-member delegation from the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) met Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati  at 12 noon today to discuss the tragic starvation death of Risa Mankadia, a tribal woman from Jajpur district.

Background of the Incident

Risa Mankadia, a resident of Ward No. 10 in Mallahar Sahi under Ransol Gram Panchayat of Sukinda block in Jajpur district, allegedly died on October 22, 2025, due to starvation after being deprived of food for several days.

Following reports of her death, an inquiry team led by  Leader of Congress Legislature Party Ashok Das visited the affected family on October 28, 2025, as per the direction of OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das. Subsequently, on October 30, 2025, the Jajpur District Congress Committee, under the leadership of its President, submitted a written complaint to the District Collector demanding action.

However, as no concrete steps were taken by the district administration, the Congress delegation sought intervention from the Governor today.

Key Demands Presented to the Governor

The delegation submitted a memorandum containing four major demands:

1. Immediate inclusion of all Mankadia tribal families under the Food Security Scheme.

2. Immediate rehabilitation of the Mankadia community.

3. Provision of permanent housing, safe drinking water, healthcare facilities, and road connectivity to their village.

4. Allocation of forest land rights to the Mankadias as per the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

The delegation also requested that the SC & ST Development Department conduct a detailed field inquiry in Sukinda block and take swift corrective measures.

Governor’s Response

After listening to the delegation, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati reportedly assured the members that the issues raised would be examined seriously and appropriate steps would be taken to address their demands.

Delegation Members

The Congress team included:

• Former Ministers: Sarat Rout and Debasish Nayak

• Vice President, Srujan Abhiyan: Sudhanshu Deo

• State Congress Spokesperson: Himanshu Lenka

• Jajpur District President: Maguni Charan Jena

• AICC Member: Madhusmita Acharya

• Former District President: Manoj Rout

• State Mahila Congress General Secretary: Swarna Banara

• Adivasi Congress General Secretary: Hindu Jamuda

• Congress Leader: Bibhu Prasad Rout

Several local Congress workers from Sukinda also joined the delegation.

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