Four more persons were arrested by Odisha’s Rayagada police on Saturday (June 20, 2026) taking the total number of accused to 20 in connection with the brutal assault on two NGO workers, including a girl student from New Delhi.

The latest incident of mob violence has triggered a massive political controversy with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress launching a scathing attack on the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government in the State.

“The incident took place around the evening hours of June 16 when two young NGO workers were coming from Daringbadi of neigbouring Kandhamal district. In Kalyansinghpur block of Rayagada district, some miscreants rumoured them to be child lifters. Soon people gathered around them. Two NGO workers were beaten up. They are now out of danger,” said Raj Prasad, Superintendent of Police, Rayagada.

‘Examining every video clip’

“The majority of accused persons are in the age group of around 30. We are examining each and every video clip made during assault and then arresting people. The cause of concern is that some of the distasteful video clips might make its way to social media. However, we are making all efforts to stop this,” Mr. Prasad added.

He said Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 sections pertaining to sexual assault, mob violence and rioting were slapped on the accused in the FIR.

Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticised the incident asking the Majhi-led government to take the strictest measures to ensure the safety of women in the State and uphold law and order.

Barbaric incident: Patnaik

In a post on X, Mr. Patnaik wrote: “The heinous, barbaric incident that occurred in Rayagada’s Kalyansinghpur, with a Delhi student has shaken, shamed, and worried the entire Odisha. I extend my deepest condolences to the student facing such a dire situation. This gruesome, hellish incident, perpetrated collectively against the student in broad daylight, has raised profound questions about humanity and our dignity.”

“While such an event has created outrage across the entire State, the government must take immediate action with urgency. Why has Odisha’s image been allowed to be tarnished? Is this government, this police administration, so helpless? Isn’t ensuring everyone’s safety the responsibility of this government? Doesn’t the government’s numbness and inexplicable silence in the face of such a sensitive incident encourage such gruesome events to happen?” he asked firing uncomfortable questions.

The women’s wing of the Congress hit the streets, staging a protest with black ribbons tied across their eyes and mouths.

“The incident has brought shame to Odisha at the national level. The Mohan Majhi government has completely failed to maintain law and order, particularly in ensuring the safety of women,” alleged Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das.

The two victims, a young man from Gujarat and a young woman from New Delhi, were reportedly interning with an Odisha-based NGO. Activists have also demanded action against the organisation, accusing it of sending individuals into unfamiliar areas without ensuring basic safety precautions.

Recently, a young police constable was beaten to death by a mob on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. An Additional Director General of Police was suspended in connection with the incident.