A huge police force has been assigned at Thanoor in Malappuram district of Kerala after clashes between the CPI (M) and Indian Union Muslim League turned violent on Sunday night.

Many houses in the area were set on fire and the miscreants threw petrol bombs at some of the houses. According to police, the situation has calmed down now, but there are chances that violence could recur in the area.

In the violence, many of the locals and policemen got injured on Sunday. The violence was stopped after police opened fire and used water cannons to disperse the people resorting to violence. Several people were arrested by the police.

Thanoor is a volatile area where IUML - CPI (M) clashes occur repeatedly. Usually the violence breaks out at night in this area. Till the last assembly elections, the coastal area of Thanoor was peaceful. But after the IUML workers attacked a CPI (M) candidate who had gone to the area for seeking votes, the area has witnessed frequent clashes and violence.

While CPI (M) alleges that IUML is behind the frequent outbreak of violence, the League says CPI (M) is responsible. Earlier, following the assembly elections in May 2016, clashes had erupted after CPI (M) won the seat from Thanoor defeating the League candidate.

The district administration is reportedly trying to arrange a compromise meeting.