Fresh Burial Dispute Erupts in Odisha Village Following Christian Teen's Death
Days after allegations of harassment during a prayer meeting at a church in Kapena village, Nabarangpur district, a new controversy has emerged over the burial of a teenage boy. The incident has reignited tensions in the region, casting a shadow over recent peace efforts by local authorities.
Family Allegations and Initial Denial of Burial Rights
A 15-year-old Christian boy, suffering from a kidney ailment, passed away on Friday. His family members claimed that when they attempted to bury him in the village burial ground at night, they were prevented from accessing the site. Furthermore, they alleged that villagers also stopped them from conducting the last rites on their own registered (patta) land.
According to the bereaved family, some villagers insisted they either renounce their Christian faith or leave the village entirely. This demand has raised serious concerns about religious freedom and social harmony in the area.
Administrative Intervention and Resolution
Amid mounting concerns, senior district officials, led by sub-collector Prakash Kumar Mishra, visited Kapena village. They held discussions with village leaders and community representatives to address the escalating situation. On Saturday night, following these talks, villagers agreed to allow the burial on the family's patta land.
"The issue was settled following prompt intervention by the administration. As a precautionary measure, adequate police force has been deployed in the village to avoid any untoward incident," stated Nabarangpur district collector Maheswar Swain.
Background of Recent Tensions
This development follows closely on the heels of an incident on January 25, when residents reported that a group entered the church around 9 am, objected to prayers, and warned nearly 30 tribal Christian families to abandon their faith. When the worshippers objected, the miscreants allegedly locked the church from outside and forced everyone to leave.
After that incident, the district administration organized a peace meeting involving both groups in an attempt to resolve the situation. However, the recent burial dispute has undermined these peace efforts, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities.
Community Reactions and Calls for Action
Pallab Lima, national president of Rastriya Christian Morcha, condemned the denial of burial rights, calling it unconstitutional and inhuman. "It is deeply unfortunate that tensions arise in certain parts of Nabarangpur district whenever a Christian death occurs. Such repeated incidents weaken constitutional values and disturb social harmony," Lima said.
Lima alleged that vested interests were provoking villagers, leading to repeated confrontations. He urged the state government to establish a permanent administrative mechanism to safeguard the rights and dignity of minority communities.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Adivasi Adhikar Mancho (OAAM) called upon the district administration to create community burial grounds in villages to prevent similar disputes in the future. "The administration must take necessary steps to ensure peaceful coexistence in villages, otherwise similar situations may arise elsewhere," emphasized OAAM secretary Rajesh Jani.
Administrative Measures and Future Plans
In response to these concerns, district collector Maheswar Swain announced that tehsildars have been instructed to identify suitable land for community burial grounds in villages lacking such facilities. "We have directed the tehsildars to identify land, and a review meeting on the matter will be held soon," Swain added.
The administration has appealed to both communities to maintain peace, with police presence intensified in the village as a preventive measure. Officials continue to engage in dialogue with all parties to restore normalcy and ensure long-term stability in the region.
