Vadodara, Oct 21 (TOI): An alleged love affair between a girl and a boy belonging to different communities sparked communal clashes at Dhaniyavi village in Varnama on Monday morning. Nine persons including four policemen were injured in the rioting that broke out at about 11am.

Police fired three rounds in the air to disperse the rioting mob. Over 24 persons have been detained and many more are likely to be rounded up in coming days.

Over 32 weapons including swords and a licensed gun were recovered from the spot. According to the police, the two communities were at loggerheads over last few days after the allegations of an affair between a boy and a girl surfaced.

"The communities had settled their differences earlier and father of the girl had even refused to register a complaint. However, on Monday morning they fought again," said district superintendent of police (rural), Sandip Singh.

Locals claimed that a similar attack happened on Sunday night in the village. "To ensure peace, we tried to strike a compromise. But we were attacked without any provocation in the presence of the police. Even women were present when the attack happened," said an injured person. Another local said that the boy was accused of sending text messages to the girl and someone from the girl's family informed her father.

The injured persons were admitted to Makarpura hospital. Four cops including police sub-inspector, P V Solanki suffered head injuries.

Security has been beefed up in the village to avoid any escalation.

An injured person claimed that one of the reasons behind the clash was political rivalry between the two communities and that the affair was just a pretext to attack them.