Four people were injured as two communities clashed in a Karnataka town on Wednesday night, with police clarifying the violence followed alleged acts of sexual harassment and was unrelated to now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Mohammed.

Eighteen men have been arrested for the violence in Kerur, Bagalkot district, and a search is on for several more. The administration has banned the assembly of more than four people and asked educational institutions to stay closed.

Arun Kattimani, Bagalkot district secretary of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike, and two other members of the outfit were stabbed during the clash. They and a member from the rival group, who suffered head injuries, have been admitted to hospital.

Officers said the rioters used knives and sticks to attack each other and torched or vandalised at least 10 motorbikes and several pushcarts belonging to street vendors in the local market. The police have registered a case of rioting and arson.

Bagalkot superintendent of police Jayaprakash told reporters that the harassment of women from a particular community appeared to have triggered the clash.

“Teasing of girls was the alleged reason for the clash. We are investigating that as well,” the officer said. He dismissed rumours that a social media post supporting Nupur Sharma had sparked the violence.

Five platoons of riot police have been sent to Kerur.

Bagalkot had witnessed widespread protests and rampant stone-throwing during the hijab protests in February. Students wearing saffron stoles had locked the gates of a government college to prevent hijab-clad peers from entering, leading to the stoning.

The communal atmosphere in BJP-ruled Karnataka has been vitiated over the past few years, with Hindutva outfits attacking Christian institutions and targeting Muslim traditions with impunity.