NEW DELHI, Dec 6: Hindu extremists and Muslim protesters clashed here on Thursday, throwing rocks and beating each other with bamboo flag poles as both groups gathered to mark the anniversary of destruction of the Babri mosque.

Police separated the groups and detained several dozen people, said police inspector Harcharan Verma, adding that there were a handful of injuries, none serious.

Several hundred members of Shiv Sena marched in downtown New Delhi to celebrate the destruction of the mosque 15 years ago by Hindu extremists.

They were met there by protesters from a coalition of Muslim groups calling for the mosque to be rebuilt and for those that destroyed it to be brought to justice.

Witnesses said the Shiv Sena members charged the Muslims, setting off the violence. However, both sides blamed the other.

“The Shiv Seniks who attacked us should be arrested, otherwise we will not be able to control the anger of our young people,” said Abu Asim, a member of parliament who was at the rally.

“For 15 years we have been celebrating this day as victory day. Today we were attacked with bamboo sticks by hundreds of these people,” said Vinod Bhardwaj, a Shiv Sena activist.

—AP