RABAT, July 21 (Xinhua) -- After a few weeks of relative calm, violent clashes erupted again between demonstrators and security forces in Morocco's northeastern city of Al Hoceima on Thursday night, leaving dozens injured.
In defiance of a rally ban declared by local authorities, thousands of protesters took to streets to demand the release of the detained activists including Nasser Zefzafi, the leader of the protest movement.
Zefzafi called before his arrest in late May for a massive demonstration on July 20, two days before the anniversary of the famous Annual battle between the region and Spanish colonial forces in 1921.
According to authorities, 175 protesters have been detained for their participation in protests.
Late Thursday, the police said in a statement that 72 policemen and 11 protesters were injured during the clashes.
On Friday, Al Hoceima's authorities said two policemen and a protester were seriously injured during the clashes, but adding that they are in "stable" conditions.
Tensions in the region have eased in recent weeks as the police presence has significantly reduced, in response to Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani's call for calm and his government's commitment to speeding up the development of the projects in the region.
In 2015, Morocco launched Lighthouse of the Mediterranean, a large-scale development program in Al Hociema, but many of its projects have been marred by delays.
El Othmani said the investigation committee set up by king Mohammed VI has started its work to hold related officials responsible for the delays.
He also said the government has withdrawn police from the main sites of protests following directives from the king.
However, the protesters and rights groups call for the immediate release of the arrested, while the government insists on the independence of the justice.
The situation in Al Hoceima has been tense since October 2016, when fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death after climbing into a rubbish lorry to retrieve his swordfish confiscated by police.
The demand for justice for Fikri in the northeastern region has evolved into a major grassroots movement to require greater government investment to create more jobs.
Morocco has not witnessed any protests of this size since the pro-democracy demonstrations during the Arab spring in 2011.
