Marad tense, toll rises to nine

The situation at Marad Beach near Kozhikode in Kerala, the scene of fierce clashes between two groups on Friday night, was described as tense but under control on Saturday morning by senior police officials.

Nine people died in the clashes and over 20 were injured, 11

of them critically.

Additional forces have been rushed to the area to check any fresh incidents. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-Bharatiya Janata Party have called a state-wide bandh to denounce the violence.

Over 60 people have been taken into custody so far.