TNI Bureau: A 19-year-old Odia woman from Kalahandi district was allegedly raped and murdered while working as a migrant labourer in Telangana, sparking widespread outrage and demands for urgent intervention by the Odisha government and police.

The deceased hailed from the Dandapat area under Dharamgarh block of Kalahandi district. She had migrated to Telangana a few months ago along with her parents and brother in search of livelihood and was working at a brick kiln run by a contractor in the Prakash Nagar area of Khammam district.

According to reports, the incident came to light on Friday after the young woman went to bathe in a nearby river in the morning and failed to return. When she remained missing for a long time, her family launched a search. Her injured body was later found in an isolated spot near a bridge close to the river. Preliminary circumstances suggested that she was sexually assaulted before being killed.

Local police reportedly seized the body, conducted a post-mortem examination and later handed it over to the family. Meanwhile, serious allegations have emerged that the contractor is pressuring the victim’s family to suppress the case and refrain from pursuing legal action. There are also concerns that attempts are being made to settle the matter and intimidate the family, raising fears for their safety.

Reacting strongly to the incident, OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das expressed deep shock and anguish over the brutal crime. In a statement, he said he was “shattered and deeply anguished” by the rape and murder of the young brick kiln worker from Dharamgarh. He urged Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to personally intervene, ensure justice for the victim’s family and deliver the strictest possible punishment to those responsible.

The incident has triggered public anger, with renewed calls for immediate intervention by both the Odisha and Telangana governments to ensure a fair investigation, protect the victim’s family and prevent any attempt to cover up the crime.