Odisha - 60 houses set afire in 'revenge' arson

Bhubaneswar, Mar 21: Around 60 thatched houses, set afire by unidentified persons today, were gutted at Adivasi Sahi of Dadhimacchagadia under Sadar police limits in Odisha's Khurda district, police said.

The arson is suspected to have been done to avenge the murder of a stone crusher unit owner two days ago. The incident occurred around noon when most of the male members of the families were away from homes.

The houses were reduced to ashes by the time fire tenders reached the place. Two tractors had also caught fire in the incident, police said.

The unidentified persons also hurled crude bombs at a police camps injuring at least three. Two camps were set up there following the murder of the stone crusher unit.

"Nine persons have so far been arrested in connection with the crusher owner's murder. Two platoons of policemen are already deployed there. Three policemen were injured in the hurling of bombs by the miscreants,” said Satyajeet Mohanty, ADGP (Law and Order). Sujit Biswal, the stone crusher unit owner, was killed by some unidentified persons two days ago.

PTI