Southern Vietnam Catholics in clashes with police

11:40 p.m. Nov 09, 1997 Eastern
HANOI, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Officials and residents in southern Vietnam's Dong Nai province said on Monday that serious clashes had erupted between thousands of Catholics and police following protests over land rights and alleged corruption.

They reported a number of injuries following violence over the weekend, and said authorities had asked church officials to intervene to restore calm.