Indus Valley Times

Iswar Addanki

Malkangiri, Odisha – October 5, 2024: The Scheduled Castes and Tribes Union Joint Action Committee has called for a complete shutdown of Malkangiri district yesterday in solidarity with the Undivided Koraput District Bundh. The protest is centered around demands for intra-district appointments of Group C and D posts, with a focus on ensuring local representation in government jobs.

The unrest stems from the recent release of the state-level list of junior teachers, where out of 555 posts for primary teachers, only 2 to 3 percent of candidates from Malkangiri district secured jobs. This disparity has raised concerns about the state-level recruitment process, which the Joint Action Committee argues disadvantages local candidates. Prior to 2012, the selection process was district-level, which allowed greater opportunities for local youth. Since the shift to state-level recruitment, many qualified students from Malkangiri have been forced to seek labor work in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.

The Joint Action Committee, led by President Jara Sabar Madhi, Secretary Sonu Anugu, and Advisor Prabhakar Hantal, is demanding a return to district-level selection to ensure more employment opportunities for local students. A formal letter of demand has been submitted to Chief Minister through the Collector Malkangiri.

As a result of the Bundh, Malkangiri has come to a standstill, with buses, trucks, schools, and public services being completely shut down. Despite the disruption, the protest has remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or unrest.

The SC & ST Union Joint Action Committee remains firm in its call for change, stating that district-level appointments are critical for the welfare of local communities and their economic upliftment.