Bhubaneswar: More than 20 people were injured in a clash between residents of Baghamunda and Sipakuda villages in Krushnaprasad block of Puri district on Tuesday.

Both the groups reportedly opened fire at each other and hurled more than 100 country-made bombs during the clash over construction of a jetty on a patch of government land at Kianasi.

Sources said tension had brewed between both the villages for the past three months over construction of the jetty. While the Baghamunda residents, who are non-fishermen and depend on taking tourists to the Chilika lake, demand authority over the jetty, the people of the other village are opposing them.

"Villagers of Sipakuda are involved in fishing and other activities in the area. They have also set up shops for tourists. But, we don't have any alternative livelihood except ferrying the tourists. However, the Sipakuda villagers have been threatening us not to take tourists in our boats," alleged a Baghamunda villager.

The rivalry took an ugly turn when both the groups clashed with each other by hurling country-made bombs. Around 20 boats were also set on fire during the clash. The injured were admitted to Puri district headquarters hospital, and some of them were also later referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

Police said that as many as four meetings were convened between both the villages to sort out the issue. "Another meeting was scheduled to take place on March 25. But, both the groups fought a pitched battle before the meeting. More than 250 villagers from both the sides clashed with each other," said a police official.

Puri police superintendent Sarthak Sarangi said two platoons of police had been deployed at both the villages to prevent any further untoward incidents. "A police team will also raid both the villages to seize the bombs and other weapons," said Sarangi.