Silchar, March 6: Sporadic clashes between groups belonging to two communities in Patherkandi block under Karimganj district on the Assam-Tripura border yesterday has triggered tension in the area. Six houses were torched, while another was ransacked in the violence.

Police today said the clashes were sparked by the killing of Fariz Uddin, an employee of a fishery in the block?s Manikbandh village, on Saturday night.

The dispute started over the ownership of the fishery, the police said. As news of the killing spread, clashes erupted between members of Muslim and Bishnupriya Manipuri communities. South Assam deputy inspector-general of police K.P. Singh Deo and Karimganj district SP Abhijit Bora rushed to the affected areas with reinforcement.

A senior police official today claimed the situation was now under control. Policemen were conducting mobile patrolling as a precautionary measure, he said. Pickets have also been set up at vulnerable points.

The police have detained one person, Ajit Saha, in connection with the murder of the fishery employee. Sniffer dogs from Karimganj were also employed.