London, Aug 31 - Riot police made two arrests after 200 youngsters of South Asian origin threw firecrackers at police officers Sunday in an incident said to be linked to plans for a right-wing march through the town of Luton.

Communal tensions have risen in Luton - a town with a substantial population of Pakistani-origin people - ever since a small group of Muslims held an anti-war protest during a march by British soldiers returning from Iraq five months ago.

The local Bedfordshire Police said 50 officers had been called in Sunday afternoon after a small team of constables and police volunteers had been attacked by about '200 members of the younger Asian community'.

Police said the incident was linked to plans by far-right groups to take out a march through the town Sunday, but also said the Asian protest was held 'for no apparent reason' because the march had already been banned.

Marching plans were scotched after the British home minister last week imposed a three-month ban on public processions in Luton by four groups - March for England, UK Casuals United, United People of Luton and English Defence League.