Bhubaneswar, March 21: Sixty tribal families were today rendered homeless after a mob hurled crude bombs at their mud houses at Dadhimacha Gadia, around 30km from here.

A number of villagers and two policemen were injured in the incident that erupted following the murder of a stone crusher unit owner in the area on Saturday.

Police said the murder victim, Sujit Biswal, 36, was allegedly hacked to death by a group of tribal people living at the village. The cops have arrested nine persons in the case.

However, a mob of around 300 villagers supporting the deceased demanded the immediate arrest of the other accused and went on a rampage this afternoon.

"They first pelted a police camp with stones at the village and later hurled crude bombs at the houses of the tribal people," said an eyewitness.

Sources said that more than 60 crude bombs were hurled at the houses for around one hour this afternoon. By the time fire tenders reached, most of the mud houses with thatched roofs had been reduced to ashes. Two tractors and a motorcycle were also gutted.

Additional director-general of police (law and order) Satyajit Mohanty said two police personnel suffered minor injuries when they tried to prevent the mob from hurling the bombs. He said: "Nine persons have been arrested for killing the stone crusher unit owner and two platoons of police have been deployed to prevent any further untoward incident. The situation is under control now."

According to the police, Sujit and his friend Santosh Pradhan were riding a motorcycle on Saturday when a car blocked their way at the village. The two-wheeler hit the car and the two fell. While Santosh managed to escape, the attackers killed Sujit.

Later, some villagers found an injured Sujit and rushed him to Khurda district headquarters hospital, where he was declared dead.

Sources said past enmity was the reason behind the murder. "One of the prime accused was assaulted by Sujit three months ago and the matter was amicably settled by the village peace committee. But the accused had nurtured a grudge against the crusher owner," said a police official.

Khurda superintendent of police Dilip Das said they had registered another case against the mob for hurling bombs. "We have started a manhunt to nab the villagers, who hurled crude bombs at the police camp and houses of other villagers," he said.