Jaffna Uni Science Faculty closed:
Student factions clash over welcome for freshers
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 sources told the
Sunday Observer.
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. |