Police fired in the air to quell a clash between two groups over playing of musical instruments during a religious procession near a place of worship of another community in the district today.
Police said trouble erupted when the authorities of the place of worship at Devipattinam asked the processionists to pass the area without playing the instruments in view of the prayer time there.
Suddenly, some stones were pelted at the place of worship, prompting those inside there to retaliate leading to a clash in which scores of people suffered bruises and cut injuries.
Organisers of the procession said that a stone thrown by some miscreant led to the clash.
Armed Police personnel, who rushed to the spot, fired three rounds in the air after a cane-charge failed to disperse the clashing groups, police said.
Tension prevailed in the area though the situation had been brought under control, police added.
