Orissa: Violence spreads to Boudh district, rioters torch eight houses

BHUBANESWAR: 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, police said on Thursday.

A group of miscreants from Gochhapada area in Kandhamal entered adjoining Kantamal Police Station area of Boudh late on Wednesday night and torched the houses at Lamsaripali village, Deputy Inspector General of Police R P Koche said.

Some of the arsonists, including their leaders were arrested as police reached the area and swung into action after getting information about the incident, he said.

No one was injured in the attack by suspected tribals and the damaged houses belonged to 'Pana' dalits, indicating that the incident involved ethnic problems and not communal conflict, Deputy Superintendent of Police K P Mund said.
Police movement to the area was affected as the attackers had blocked roads by felling trees, he said adding that the village was also located atop a hill.

Additional security personnel including one company of CRPF jawans and three platoons of Orissa State Armed Police have been deployed in the area to prevent any major flare up, Mund said.

Flag march was held by the security personnel in a bid to instill confidence among local residents.

Some villages of Kantamal area had been attacked about a fortnight ago by miscreants who had set afire over 100 houses.