11 arrested for bombing, arson in Ganjam village

BERHAMPUR: A day after bombing and arson, an eerie silence prevailed at Ambagaon in Ganjam district on Monday even as senior police officers visited the trouble-torn village, bordering Andhra Pradesh.
Three persons were injured as two rival groups allegedly hurled bombs at each other and torched 40 houses in the village on Sunday. One among the injured, M Duryodhan, 40, has been shifted to Visakhapatnam while the rest are undergoing treatment at Jarada hospital, police sources said.
Police have arrested 11 villagers for their alleged involvement in bombing and arson. "Raids are being conducted at different places to nab the others," said SP (Berhampur) Sarthak Sarangi.
All male members of the 90 households have fled the village, fearing arrest, the sources added.
"The situation is under control. Chikiti SDPO and IIC of Jarada police station are camping in the village," said DIG (southern range) Amitabh Thakur.
The district administration provided polythene sheets and food to those rendered homeless in the arson. "We distributed 41 polythene sheets and dry food like chuda and gur," said tehsildar (Patrapur) Hara Prasad Bhoi.
Police attributed the incident to longstanding enmity between the two groups. At least five cases were registered against the villagers last year. On March 4, bombs were hurled in the village though no one was injured in the incident.
"We tried to a form a peace committee. But citing different reason, the villagers have been attacking each other," the SP added.