TEHRAN Many young people were arrested here late Tuesday in clashes with police during the celebrations marking the Chaharshanbeh-Souri, or the festival of fire.

A large number of youngsters gathered on Tehran streets and parks, many of whom acted in an unruly manner. Also, groups of young boys and girls strolled along the streets while shouting and disturbing the passers-by.

Chaharshanbeh-Souri, marked on the eve of the last Chaharshanbeh (Wednesday) in the Iranian calendar year, dates back to the Zoroastrian era. But in the Islamic era, it has been used as an occasion to call on relatives and attend social gatherings.

Young people mostly mark the festival by jumping over bonfires and setting off firecrackers. But they often go to extremes and get indulged in uncivil acts.

The police were put on alert on Tuesday to prevent incidents resulting from jumping over bonfires or setting off firecrackers.