At least six persons were injured in an acid throwing incident following a clash between two groups of servitors of Akhandalamani temple in Bhadrak district, police said today.
Police said two persons have so far been arrested in connection with the incident that took place last night near the temple located in Aradi.
The incident happened after two groups of sevayats fought a pitched battle in the temple premises over performing puja rituals for devotees, police said.
A meeting was called by the sevayat groups in the evening in an effort to sort out the matter, but the whole exercise failed to yield any result, they said.
Subsequently, members of one group threw acid on some rival group members when they were returning home, causing burn injuries to at least six persons, they said.
The injured were taken to the district headquarters hospital here immediately. Later, they were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack where their condition was stated to be critical, police said.
Officer In-Charge of Aradi police outpost, Braja Kishore Das said two persons have been arrested so far for their involvement in the incident, while efforts are on to nab three others soon.