Kundapur: A tailoring shop was gutted in fire in Mandarthi near Durgaparameshwari temple here on the late night on Friday January 23.

 The clothes and machines were completely charred in the incident. The shop situated a little away from the temple, belonged to Chandra Achar and was run by a woman named Suguna on rent for about seven to eight months.

It is said that there was a dispute between the management committee of the temple and Achar. The management had demolished a structure built by Achar two months ago saying that it was built on government land.  The women in the house of Achar were injured in the incident and a complaint was lodged in the police station.

Now the fire incident has raised suspicion among the locals. As soon as the shop owner noticed the fire he along with the locals tried to douse the fire but all their efforts went in vain.

Brahmavar police arrived at the spot and conducted inspection. Forensic experts came on Saturday afternoon and investigated the spot. Locals suspect some unidentified hands must have worked behind the incident.