TALIPARAMBA: Tension prevailed here on Tuesday following clashes between workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). The police opened fire in the air and burst teargas shells to disperse the troublemakers.

The police here had a tough time as workers of the rival parties resorted to violence. The trouble began at around 10 a.m. after a shop owned by a Muslim League worker was vandalised by suspected CPI(M) workers.

The police ordered a lathicharge and used smoke grenades and teargas shells to disperse rival party workers who assembled at the spot. They fled after Taliparamba Dy.SP. U. Abdul Kareem opened fire into the air.

The town and nearby areas became tense late Monday night when vehicles carrying CPI(M) workers returning after attending the party rally in Kannur were targeted by IUML workers.

Eight injured

Eight people were injured in the incident. Three shops and many houses were damaged in the violence.

Meanwhile, shops here remained closed in response to a hartal called by the CPI(M) to protest against the attacks on party workers.

The attack on the shop of the IUML worker was followed by an attack on a nearby bakery. Attempt was also made to set afire a textile shop owned by an IUML worker. The houses of Taliparamba municipal councillor K. Mubeena was among the three houses at Asad Nagar here attacked by suspected CPI(M) workers.

The houses of two CPI(M) workers and a tailoring shop of a CPI(M) worker came under attack around noon. The police said that the situation here was brought under control. Several persons were taken under preventive custody, they said.

District Superintendent of Police Mathew Polycarp visited here. Large number of police personnel was deployed in the area.

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