Police have detained eight men, believed to be Barisan Nasional supporters, for allegedly assaulting several Keadilan supporters in Kangar.

The police confirmed the arrest but declined to comment if it was related to a scuffle in which Keadilan's Youth executive member Johari Jasin and three others were injured.

"We are investigating the matter. I am not able to make a press statement now. Once we are ready we will announce it," the police officer, who requested anonymity, told malaysiakini.

Keadilan lodged a report yesterday alleging that Johari and his friends were beaten up by a group of BN supporters in Jalan Medan Baru, Kangar while they were on their rounds checking on their centres at about 3am.

The melee started when Johari, who saw the men tearing down Keadilan posters, ordered them to stop. The men, believed to be BN workers, called for help and a big group of their friends subsequently turned up to bash the opposition members.

Five Keadilan members escaped injury when they managed to flee the scene.

Johari was allegedly whisked away in a van by BN workers to the Federal Territory BN's operations centre nearby where they continued beating him for about half an hour.

The assault victims sought treatment in the local hospital after the incident.

Meanwhile, Perlis Mentri Besar Shahidan Kassim blamed Keadilan supporters for causing the skirmish.

He conceded that BN workers were tearing down posters which contained "offensive words" and did not carry the logo of any particular party.

Shahidan added that a BN supporter and a police officer had lodged reports providing a different version of the events.

Acts of violence

Since nomination day began on Thursday, Keadilan have reported a series of violent incidents inflicted by BN supporters.

Cars of Keadilan leaders have not been spared. Party's supreme council member Dr Xavier Jeyakumar's car which was parked in front of the Federal Hotel Kangar was stoned last Friday.

Johari's car was similarly damaged on the same morning in Pengkalan Assam. The windscreens of both cars were damaged.

Keadilan leaders have also reported threats and coercion on their supporters to defect to the ruling party.

In an immediate response, Keadilan's deputy campaign director Ng LumYong said he believed all these incidents were "planned and motivated" to pressure the party into withdrawing from the by-election.

"However, for all the inhuman treatment, the party's election team remains undaunted," said Ng, who is also Keadilan's supreme council member.

Ng called on the police to uphold justice and look into reports made by the party.

He urged the police to step up patrolling to ensure the safety of party workers and a "smooth and fair" running of the by-election.

Keadilan will meet BN in a straight fight this Saturday, after a nine-day campaigning period which started on nomination day last week.

The battle is said to be tough for both candidates retired Chinese school headmistress Oui Ah Lan, 58, who is the MCA candidate, and former school teacher Khoo Yang Chong, 60, contesting for Keadilan.

The Indera Kayangan seat fell vacant following the death of BN state assembly representative Khor Liang Tee last month.