‘Village of widows’ in Odisha: Mysterious deaths of young men in age group of 30 years create panic

In a remote tribal village nestled in the hills of Malkangiri district, a disturbing pattern of premature deaths among young men has sparked fear, sorrow, and unanswered questions. The village of Dayalatang under Kalimela block presents a grim picture of loss, with most women now widowed and no elderly men remaining in the community.

According to reports, Dayalatang is home to 45 residents from 12 families, including 31 women and only 12 men. Alarmingly, 12 of the 31 women are widows, most of whom lost their husbands at the age of 30. While two of the surviving men are around 30 years old, the rest are barely in their twenties. Only five married men remain in the entire village.

Local residents say newlywed women are becoming widows within a few years of marriage, wiping away the red vermilion from their foreheads. Despite no clear cause of death, these losses are hauntingly frequent. Most deceased men reportedly died between the ages of 20 and 30.

“There are fewer men compared to women in the village. People are dying with fever and other illnesses, “said a local resident.

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Another woman said, “My husband died early, within one year of marriage. Now I am staying with my parents. I do not have any answer.”

About The Village 

Dayalatang is predominantly inhabited by the Kondareddi tribe, and residents here seem to have accepted their grim reality as fate. The village is 20 kilometers away from the nearest panchayat office, with no transport facilities to the sub-divisional headquarters. The lack of connectivity further isolates the village, leaving it beyond the reach of timely healthcare or development programs.

What Experts Say

Health experts suspect several possible causes. Speaking to OTV, Dr. Prafulla Behera, a medicine specialist, suggested that lack of medical access, excessive alcohol consumption, or hereditary health disorders might be contributing to these unnatural deaths. 

“If they are not getting proper health facilities, country-made liquor, or any genetic disease that can lead to early deaths. The exact cause of deaths can be ascertained after a detailed medical examination, “said Behera.

He emphasized that since the village is located atop a remote hill near the Andhra Pradesh border, residents have little or no access to doctors when they fall ill. A proper health survey and sample testing could help identify the underlying cause, he added.

As the tragedy unfolds, the villagers continue to live under the shadow of loss and mystery, hoping for answers and intervention from health authorities.