RAUTAHAT: Tension has run high in Birta village of Rautahat district on Friday afternoon after two local communities clashed after a group "disrespected the other's religion".

Police said a group, mostly dominated by Muslims, had taken out a flag symbolising Lord Hanuman erected in a land by the other community and thrown it away last night. They had also urinated at the place, further infuriating locals.

Following the incident, hundreds of Hindu locals had gathered at the place to protest the act today. Muslims from around the area, almost equal in number, also thronged the place, giving the rise to the tension, this afternoon.

Meanwhile, police have been using dozens of tear gas shells and opening fires in the open in a bid to control the situation.

No any casualty or injury, however, has been reported from the incident.