11 arrested for Sunday’s arson in Odisha village

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Brahmapur, Mar 23:

Police today arrested 11 persons in connection with yesterday’s group clash in Ambagaon under Jarada police limits in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

While three persons have sustained injuries in yesterday’s group clash, over 40 houses were set ablaze as rival groups set afire thatched houses belonging to the other group and hurled bombs at each other.

One seriously injured person has been referred to a hospital at Visakhapatnam while other two are undergoing treatment at Jarada hospital, police said.

All male members of the village, which has around 90 households, have fled after the incident fearing arrest.

DIG (southern range) Amitav Thakur who was on a visit to the strife torn village said: “The situation is now under control. SDPO Chikiti and IIC Jarada are camping in the village to maintain peace.”

Raids were conducted in different places to nab other persons involved in the incident, said SP Sarthak Sarangi.

District administration has provided polythene sheets and food to the families, who had been rendered homeless in the arson, said Prem Chandra Choudhury collector Ganjam.

There is old enmity between the groups, but the provocation for the fresh incident is not known and is being investigated, police said.