HANOI, Nov 10: Thousands of Catholics and police clashed in southern Vietnam following Eotests over land rights and al-jed corruption, officials and residents said today, reports Reuter.

They reported a number of injuries following the weekend's violence in Dong Nai Erovlnce and said authorities ad asked church officials to help restore calm.

A resident, who declined to be identified, said the troubles began on Friday when several hundred women began protesting outside the local government offices in Thong Nhat district, some 60 km (40 miles) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.

Some of them were said to have stripped in protest. Others held banners saying "Down with people who steal land from farmers".

They were joined by thousands of other residents on Saturday. prompting riot police to intervene, she said.