Bhubaneswar : Rioters sneaked into Kandhamal's 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 last night and torched the houses at Lamsaripali village, Deputy Inspector General of Police R P Koche told .
Some of the arsonists, including their leaders were arrested
No one was injured in the attack by suspected tribals and the damaged houses belonged to 'Pana' dalits, giving an indication 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.
