From correspondents in India, 02:31 AM IST

Twelve people were injured Wednesday in clashes between activists of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) at Nadapuram town near here, police said.

Clashes erupted in the evening when the two parties were taking out processions in Nadapuram, about 70 km from here. Members of the two rallies started attacking each other with stones and country-made bombs, a police official said.

Police had to use teargas to disperse them.

Nadapuram and surrounding areas have been tense after an IUML panchayat secretary was injured in an attack Tuesday night. The party alleges that Kerala's ruling CPI-M was behind the attack.

The IUML had observed a shutdown in Nadapuram and nearby areas earlier Wednesday to protest the assault on their leader.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)