Fifty hurt in clash at Bangladesh university

A clash between police and students in Bangladesh, sparked by government plans to rename a university in the northern district…

A clash between police and students in Bangladesh, sparked by government plans to rename a university in the northern district of Mymensingh, left at least 50 people injured, police said today.

The students were protesting against plans to change the name of Bangladesh Agricultural University to Mymensingh Agriculture University. Students said the change was made to appease local pro-government leaders.

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a mob of several hundred students and their supporters from outside the campus who pulled away railway tracks and attacked the residence of the vice chancellor of the university, said a police officer at Mymensingh, 130 km north of Dhaka.

Police said 35 of the injured students were admitted to hospital with rubber bullet injuries. Five policemen were also hurt.