India: Riots in Northern part of Kerala
Sam Asharaf - South Asia Correspondent

Five persons were killed and several houses and country boats were torched and may people were critically injured in major clash belonging to two different community at Marad beach near Beypore police station limits in Calicut District, northern part of Kerala state.

The trouble started when a group set fire houses in the beach. As many 22 houses were gutted, seven country boats and fishing boat were also set ablaze. The clash was reportedly a full out of a quarrel involving two section of people on the eve of New year.

All top brass of police camping in the area with a large posse policemen with two battalion of Rapid Action Force. Venu.K.Nair Inspector General of Police, Northern region who is camping in the area said the situation is tense but under control. The police have also began a massive hunt for lethal weapons in the area.

The District administration clamped Prohibitory orders under Police Act. in and around Beypore. Beypore a noted sensitive area in Calicut District, communal clashes have occurred in past too. Industries Minister P.K Kunjalikutty rushed to the spot, to give the lead for the restoration of peace efforts. Leaders of all political parties in a joint statement urged the people to abstain from violence.

Chief Minister A.K. Antony who was in New Delhi for an organisational discussion, cutting short of his scheduled program reached the the state capital to take direct control of the situation. Antony asked all peace loving people to condemn the anti-people trend and extend sincere support to all measures of the government to suppress the violence.

Chief Minister expressed his deep grief at the death of innocents and conveyed his condolence to their families.