DHAKA: In a bid to avert possible clashes among students over the craze-packed FIFA World Cup soccer, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) was Saturday closed for an indefinite period.   

Male students were asked to vacate dormitories by 8:30 pm Saturday while the females given up to 10am Sunday to leave, pro-VC of BUET Dr. Habibur Rahman said.

Milon, a final-year student of Computer Science and Engineering department, told banglanews24.com.bd that a group of students of 07 Batch of his department insulted one of the students of 05 Batch on the campus. The students of 05 Batch protested.

“Khairul, one of the students of 07 Batch, threatened the seniors and asked them not to come out on the campus. They also attacked us along with the students of 06 Batch ” Milon said.

Another student, Rabbi of Mechanical Engineering department of 07 Batch, said a group of students of 07 Batch demonstrated on the campus and demanded early vacation so that they could enjoy the World Cup matches. “Suddenly they engaged in a clash with the seniors,” he said.

Two students received minor injuries during the melee, according to Ovi, a student of 09 Batch.

BUET was scheduled to be closed on June 28 for summer vacation. But the authorities closed the varsity early to keep the environment cool.

Rezaul Islam, officer-in charge of Shahbagh police station, said some BUET students fought with one another but no one sustained serious injury.

“It’s a simple matter and no case has been filed,” he said.
 
BDST:1940 HRS. June19,2010.
AAD/FA/MUA