At least three persons were injured and several shops damaged in a clash between two groups, prompting the Puri district administration to clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC at Ghoradia village in the Delang area in Puri district on Wednesday to prevent escalation of the violence.
The clash took place following an altercation between the rival factions of Sisuapada and Balihunka villagers over a petty incident that had occurred on Monday when a youth had stamped on another youth from a neighbouring village.
During the clash on Wednesday, a poultry farmhouse was torched by a mob. The administration managed to douse the flames by engaging a fire brigade unit, said Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Sarthak Sarangi.
Crude bombs, sharp weapons, sticks and bottles were hurled during the clash by both the groups, said Sarangi.
Teargas shells were burst to stop violence and disperse the trouble makers, added Sarangi. All the injured were admitted at the Puri District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).
Armed police personnel were deployed in the area while senior officials, including the district Collector and the SP, rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. The Puri Sub-Collector, four Tehsildars and the local SDPO also camped at the spot to oversee the situation.
“The situation in the area is tense but well under control,” said the SP.