In yet another incident of moral policing, Bajrang Dal activists on Tuesday assaulted three students travelling with two women teachers in Puttur, about 55 km from here.
The activists assaulted the students, who belonged to a private college, asking them why they were accompanying the teachers, the police said.
The action of the Dal activists angered members of the Karnataka Forum for Dignity, a state-based outfit, resulting in a clash, the police said.
The groups pelted stones, damaging some vehicles. They said they had to use lathicharge to control them. Four persons have been detained.
Superintendent of Police A. Subramanyeshwara Rao, who rushed to the spot, said the situation was now under control.
The region has been in the news ever since Sri Rama Sene activists attacked women at a pub in January.