Puri: Four persons, including three of a family, were killed and five others injured in a clash between two groups in Krushnaprasad area, about 120 km from here, police said today.

Trouble had erupted during the marriage of a girl of Budhibara with a boy of Kholaganja on May 12 as the bride's family was forced to do away with certain ceremonial rituals as dictated by the bridegroom's side, Additional Superintendent of Police R K Mishra said.

Things again turned serious when the bride's family sent some gifts to the bridegroom's house last night as part of rituals but residents of Kholaganja, the bridegroom's village, objected.

As the bride's family insisted on following all the rituals this time, a clash ensued leading to death of 20-year-old Kuna Tarei of Budhibara and minor injuries to five persons of his group.

As news spread in Budhibara, some houses of Kholaganja were set ablaze by unidentified persons in the early hours.

Ananta Palei (65), his wife Hema (55) and child Manguri (8) were charred to death in sleep. Police said since most of the residents were fishermen by profession, the incident might have been triggered by old rivalry relating to fishing.

The villages wore a deserted look as most people fled.

Source : PTI