A drive by the Puri district administration to evict slum dwellers at Baliapanda in the holy town went haywire with about ten houses going up in flames on Wednesday.
The slum dwellers alleged that the workers engaged in the eviction set their houses afire. A fire brigade team rushed to the spot and doused the flames. It was suspected that somebody set the houses on fire while the administration was undertaking the demolition drive.
Meanwhile, one platoon police force was deployed to avoid any untoward situation in the area.
An investigation into the incident will be conducted and action taken against the guilty, said police.
The district administration is conducting anti-encroachment drives in the town to vacate Government land for various projects. The slum was evicted for setting up a park.