10 Arrested In Odisha’s Puri Bombing, Arson & Caste Clash Case

Puri: Police have arrested 10 persons in connection with the series of bombings, which had rocked Nathapur village in Brahmagiri area of Odisha’s Puri district on Sunday.

“We have taken this incident seriously. We have already arrested 10 persons and action will be taken against him based on evidence. Their statement is being recorded,” said SP Kanwar Vishal Singh.

To maintain law and order, four platoons of police force have been deployed in the village. Additional SP, SDPO, and Police IIC are also present in the village to observe the situation.

According to sources, police have recovered many live bombs from the village and the search operation is still on.

“We are discussing with the district administration and intellectuals of the village to prevent a recurrence. An attempt is being made to address the problem permanently,” said the SP.

At least 40 houses belonging to people from the lower caste were set on fire at Nathapur village, in Brahmagiri area of Puri district, allegedly by a group of upper-caste men on Sunday during a clash that saw bombs hurled by both sides and 30 people sustaining injuries.

It was being attributed to a land dispute.

Notably, more than 40 families from Brahmapur village under Krushnaprasad tehsil were evicted from their villages in March, following which they came to Nathapur. At Nathapur, they started constructing houses on a patch of government land which was opposed by a section of 35 Mouza residents.

A dispute had erupted and following the intervention of tehsildar, a contract was signed between them at Satpada outpost. They were allowed to stay there temporarily due to the COVID pandemic. They also agreed to it.

However, around 500 people of 35 Mouza met at a temple and resolved to evict the Harijans from the area, leading the arson and bombing.

The district administration had then provided dry food to the affected people.