In response to the arrest of Lingaraj Azad, tribal leader of the Dongria Khand of Niyamgiri Hills on March 6, the tribal community staged a protest outside the Odisha Assembly in Bhubaneswar on March 11. Tribals were led by workers of the Samajwadi Jan Parishad and were demanding the immediate release of Azad from the Bhawanipatna jail. Samajwadi Jan Parishad leaders later met governor Ganeshi Lal on the issue. Azad was arrested by Kalahandi police under suspicion for two cases.