The injured persons at the Kendrapara district headquarters hospital. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, July 15: One person was killed and seven were seriously injured in a clash between political parties at a village in close vicinity of this district headquarters town last night.

“Situation is tense at Malua village of Ostapur gram panchayat. Kendrapara rural police station has deployed personnel to keep a vigil on the area. A political rivalry had triggered the group clash,” said Kendrapara police superintendent Narasingha Bhol.

No untoward incident, however, had occurred there following last night’s clash, said sub-divisional police officer Nrusingha Charan Swain.

Malua village has a history of such group clashes. Ever since the panchayat polls were held earlier this year, such clashes had occurred there twice.

The injured were supporters of Congress, while the aggressors were from the BJD, said a source.

Achyutanada Sethy, one of the injured, succumbed to injuries at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack today. Others who sustained injuries included Muna Sethy, Chagan Sethy, Babuli Sethy, Maheswar Sethy, Hemant Sethy and Pradeep Sethy.

Today, the clash-torn village wore a deserted look as most adult male members of every family, regardless of party affiliation, fled their houses fearing arrest.

“The BJD has unleashed a reign of terror here with its party men targeting the opponents. A series of political violence has taken place since the panchayat elections. But, the police have allowed the offenders to roam scot free,” said district Congress committee president Debendra Sharma.

The BJD district unit, however, refuted the charges. “This may be a stray case. The party had issued directions to all its cadres to refrain from violence,” said BJD district unit chief Krutibas Patra.