Bhubaneswar, October 9
Unable to create trouble in Orissa's riot-hit Kandhamal for about a week due to tight security, rioters sneaked into neighbouring Boudh district and set afire eight houses, the police said today.
Miscreants from Gochhapada area in Kandhamal entered the adjoining Kantamal police station area of Boudh late last night and torched eight houses at Lamsaripali village, Deputy IGP RP Koche said.
Some arsonists, including their leaders, were arrested as the police swung into action on getting information about the incident, he said.
No one was injured in the attack. The damaged houses belonged to ‘Pana’ Dalits, indicating that it was an ethnic and not communal conflict, DSP KP Mund said.
Police movement to the area was affected as the attackers blocked roads by felling trees.
Additional security personnel, including a company of CRPF jawans and three platoons of the Orissa State Armed Police, have been deployed in the area to prevent any flare-up, Mund said.
A flag march was held by the security personnel in a bid to instill confidence among local residents.
— PTI
