Kanjamajhira village, Rayagada District, Odisha | July 11, 2025 – A shocking case of mob justice has emerged from Kanjamajhira village, where a newly‑married tribal couple was tied to a wooden yoke and forced to plough a field like oxen. Their crime? Marrying within the same clan – considered strictly taboo in local tribal customs.
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Odisha Couple Forced to Plough Field – The Incident (Caught on Camera)
Multiple videos, now viral, show the couple – Laka Saraka (28) and Kodia Saraka (31)—yoked together and made to drag a crude bamboo-and-log plough across farmland in front of villagers. They were beaten with sticks and publicly humiliated before being marched to the village shrine for “purification rituals” and subsequently banished.
Tribal Custom vs. Legal Rights
- The couple, believed to be a nephew and his paternal aunt, entered into a consensual marriage, but the community elders considered it a contemptible breach of their tradition.
- A kangaroo court convened and issued an informal but severe punishment – public humiliation followed by ostracism.
- Rights activists have condemned the act as “barbaric,” urging formal legal action, highlighting that this form of “punishment” violates constitutional rights.
Official Response & Investigation
- Rayagada Superintendent of Police S. Swathy S Kumar has confirmed a team has been dispatched and an FIR will be registered.
- District sub-collector Ramesh Kumar Jena has also acknowledged the incident, expressing concern and promising strict action after on-site inquiry.
- Kalyansinghpur police initially claimed ignorance, but authorities later confirmed the incident is being probed.
Community Reaction & Broader Implications
- Outrage has poured in on social media, with users calling the punishment “Taliban-style” and unacceptable in modern India.
- Human rights groups emphasize how such tribal norms can clash with constitutional freedoms and legal protections, particularly in rural areas.
- This isn’t an isolated incident: earlier in the year, a family of 40 in the same district was forced to shave heads over an inter-caste marriage, highlighting systemic issues.
Key Points at a Glance
- Victims: Laka Saraka (28) & Kodia Saraka (31)
- Location: Kanjamajhira village, under Shikarpai panchayat, Rayagada district
- Reason: Marriage within same clan considered taboo
- Punishment: Public humiliation + yoke-and-plough ordeal + flogging
- Aftermath: Purification rituals, banishment, police probe initiated
Why This Matters
This disturbing episode highlights:
- Clash of tradition and law: Tribal customs continue to override individual rights in parts of rural India.
- Mob justice risks: When informal community courts bypass legal systems, abuse and violence thrive.
- Urgent need for awareness: Increased policing, education, and legal integration in tribal regions are necessary to prevent such acts.
See video: https://x.com/Gaurav01012024/status/1944267580962693345
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