An uneasy calm prevailed in the early hours of today in and around the city, which witnessed sporadic violence of arson and torching of police jeep and buses, which took an ugly communal turns, in the aftermath of the killing of a Hindu Munnani functionary, as people were hesitant to come out and ope their shops, hotels and commercial establishments.

The people remain indoors for fear of communal flare up, as they were witness to the worst ever communal clash occurred in February 1998, during the visit of BJP leader L K Advani, claiming 58 lives and damaging properties worth Rs.200 crores.

As time passed, situation limped back to normalcy and shops and other establishments started opening their shutters for the business, even as the Government buses and other mode of vehicles like auto rickshawas, taxis were seen plying on the roads.

The murder of Munnani spokesperson, C Sasikumar near his house in Thudiyalur on the outskirts by four motorcycle-borne assailants, which triggered violence and took an ugly communal turns, as mourners targeted shops in a minority dominated area and started pelting stones which was retaliated, resulting in a lathi charge to disperse them.Petrol bombs were hurled on three mosques and a church was damaged.

The violence was at its peak, when the funeral procession reached the house of deceased, as Munnani followers torched a police jeep, a shop, four cars and a government bus, injuring three police men. A lathi charge by police resulted in injuries to 50 persons involved in the arson.

At least 12 policemen were injured, 20 Government buses damaged, one police jeep and an auto rickshaw were burnt and some shops damaged during the bandh-like situation.

Police arrested 108 persons for their involvement in the violence in 12 police station limits and more arrests were expected as 16 cases under various sections were registered for violence, arson and damaging public properties, police said. Six special police teams were formed to nab the culprits.