BERHAMPUR, Orissa: Twenty-seven houses belonging to Dalits were set on fire, allegedly by upper caste Hindus, at Haladiapadar village, about 10 km from here, in Orissa's Ganjam district on Monday night, according to police.

Superintendent of police Binoytosh Mishra said an armed group attacked the Dalits before torching their houses at Haladiapadar, under Golanthara police station.

However, no one was injured in the incident, which was believed to be a sequel to old rivalry between the two groups, the SP said.

Fifteen persons, reportedly belonging to the upper caste community, were arrested in connection with the incident,

Two platoons of armed police force had been deployed in the village, where the situation was tense but under control, he said.

Criminal cases had been registered against those allegedly involved in the incident under various sections of IPC, Explosive Act and SC and ST Atrocity Act, he said.