Pakistan cricket match: 12 injured in Punjab college clash

Chandigarh, Aug 28: Twelve students at a private engineering college in Punjab were injured following a clash between students from Kashmir and others over support to Pakistan team during an international cricket match, college sources said Thursday.

Police said that at least 12 students were injured in the clash between both sides at the hostel of Swami Parmanand College of Engineering and Technology near Lalru, 35 km from here, Tuesday night.

The clash took place while the students of the institution were watching a one-day international match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on TV.

Students present in the college hostel common room told the police that the students from Kashmir started shouting slogans in favour of Pakistan which was objected to by some other students. This led to heated arguments between both sides and a clash.

At least 12 students were rushed to nearby private hospitals due to injuries sustained in the clash. College property was also damaged in the incident.

The college administration called the police when things went out of hand.

Sources said that there was tension on the college campus as there were about 200 students from Kashmir studying there and most of them stayed in the hostel.

Station House Officer Santokh Singh said that the situation had been brought under control and a case was registered following the clash.

Some local students and BJP leader Wednesday even blocked a highway near the college, demanding the arrest of Kashmiri students.

College principal P.D. Sharma said that the institution had been closed till Sep 8.

IANS