Bhubaneswar, Nov 7 (IANS) Armed policemen were deployed after an old man was killed and three others critically injured in a clash between two groups of villagers Saturday over a piece of government land in Orissa's Dhenkanal district, official said.

The clash took place in Amlapada village, about 170 km from Bhubaneswar, when a group of villagers tried to vacate the government land occupied by another group.

'A 65-year-old man was killed in the clash. Three others were critically injured,' Superintendent of Police Satish Gajbhiye told IANS.

'We have deployed near about 100 armed policemen as the situation has remained tense in the village. A prohibitory order under Section 144 that bans the assembly of four or more people has been also clamped in the village,' he said, adding that no arrest has been made so far.