Ferguson (Missouri), Aug 18 (IANS): Governor of the US state of Missouri, Jay Nixon, Monday signed an order authorising use of the National Guard in the riot-hit town of Ferguson, after violent clashes between protestors and the police.

The suburb of St Louis has been inflamed with racial tensions since Aug 9 when a white policeman, Darren Wilson, shot dead a black teenager, Michael Brown, 18, Xinhua reported.

"Given these deliberate, coordinated and intensifying violent attacks on lives and property in Ferguson, I am directing the highly capable men and women of the Missouri National Guard in restoring peace and order to this community," Nixon said.

Fresh violence erupted late Sunday, in which protestors fired upon law enforcement officers, throwing Molotov cocktails, looting and blocking roads.

The tension further escalated after private autopsy results showed Brown, 18, was shot at least six times, including twice in the head.

"Based on the conditions, I had no alternative but to elevate the level of response," Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson said.

Monday marks the ninth day of protests in Ferguson after the shooting.

Nixon declared a state of emergency in Ferguson Saturday after the protests turned violent the night before.