The reports say police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse marchers in the mostly Shiite village of Newidrat in the southwest region of the island kingdom — a key Western ally and home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. The witnesses say there were some injuries from the Monday clash.
The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because of worries of reprisals from authorities.
Opposition groups are calling for major rallies later Monday. Bahrain's majority Shiites complain of systematic discrimination by Bahrain's ruling Sunni dynasty.
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