At least two persons were killed and two others, including a Central Reserve Police Force jawan, injured after security personnel opened fire following gun shots by a group of rioters in Tumudibandh area of Orissa's riot-torn Kandhamal district on Saturday, official sources said.
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Security personnel opened fire after a CRPF jawan sustained bullet injuries following firing by miscreants from a country-made gun at Kurtamgarh in Tumudibandh area, Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda said.
Two of those indulging in arson and rioting were killed and another was injured in firing as security personnel tried to disperse the mob, Nanda and Kandhamal District Collector Krishan Kumar said.
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"The situation in the area is tense but under control. One company of CRPF has been deployed in Kurtamgarh as a precautionary measure," Kumar said.
Trouble started when miscreants opened fire as the security personnel were trying to disperse the mob, Kumar said, adding security personnel resorted to firing soon after the gun shots by arsonists.
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Stray incidents of houses, prayer halls and churches being torched by arsonists continued to take place in various parts of the violence-ravaged district, officials said, adding about 16 houses, one missionary hostel and a prayer hall were set afire at Mangapanga in Tumudibandh area late Friday night.
Six houses were damaged by miscreants at Badipanga while as many houses were torched at Salaguda, also in Tumudibandh block area.