Two Student Groups Clash at Jaffna University : J Uni. Science Faculty Closed

Six undergraduates were injured when two student factions clashed over welcoming freshers to the Jaffna University.

The Science Faculty of the Jaffna University was closed yesterday for a week, after undergraduates were injured following a clash between two student factions over a dispute regarding the conducting of a ceremony to welcome freshers to the Faculty, Jaffna University said.

Undergraduates from two ethnic groups had organised two cultural troupes to welcome and usher in the freshers to the Faculty auditorium. Undergraduates from the dominating ethnic group had then opposed the dancing troupe organised by the other student faction and the dispute had then led to a brawl.

According to these sources, riot Police were called in and security was beefed up within the university premises to quell the situation.

Reports from Jaffna stated that undergraduates who were assaulted were escorted out of the university premises under police protection and undergraduates from the other faction were also given police protection to leave the university premises and move out.

To prevent any untoward incident, hostels which housed these undergrads were placed under guard, the source said.

At least six undergraduates were admitted to the Jaffna hospital following the incident, Police and hospital sources added.