The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Barisal

The authorities closed indefinitely the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (SBMC) yesterday following death of an outsider sparking overnight clashes with students in the campus.

College authorities also asked the resident students to vacate all the five hostels, including two for female students, within 24 hours.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Academic Council of the College after mid-day after some local people swooped on students inside the campus to protest the death of the young outsider.

Witnesses said the students of the college beat up Murad Ahmed, 24, son of Ashraf Ali of Dakkhin Alekanda Refugee Colony adjacent to Zamilur Rahman Pappu Hostel, on the campus Sunday morning suspecting him to be a thief. He succumbed to his injury in the evening sparking tension in the campus and adjoining areas.

A group of local people, angry over the death of Murad Ahmed, brought out procession with the victim's body demanding punishment for the culprits.

The protestors also entered the campus and damaged several rooms of a nearby hostel resulting brief clashes which continued till Monday morning. At least eight students were injured in the incidents, college sources said.

The agitated mob shouting slogans also marched to DC office to hand over a memorandum demanding immediate arrest of Murad's killers.

SBMC Principal Dr Zahid Hossain told reporters the decision to close the college was taken to avert any further trouble.

The provisional examinations of the college will however be held as scheduled, the meeting sources said.