The clash happened as the funeral procession was approaching the village where the massacre took place. Panic swept through the party of grieving relatives and friends as their funeral convoy met a truck full of Indian peasants on the road. Some of the survivors claimed those on board were the men responsible for the massacre.

A fight ensued before police intervened and arrested a number of the alleged suspects. Local reports say the authorities have now detained more than 40 people for questioning. Some are reported to be members of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party. It was on Monday that masked paramilitaries entered an Indian village opening fire on men, women and children - it was the worst attack of its kind since the leftist Zapatista rebels took up arms four years ago.