Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet) was declared closed yesterday for seven days after a faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) clashed with another on the campus.

The Academic Council of Ruet chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Rafiqul Alam Beg announced the decision around 9:30am yesterday following an emergency meeting after the two factions of BCL -- student front of ruling Awami League -- were engaged in a fracas the night before.

Prof NHM Kamruzzaman Serker, general secretary of Ruet Teachers Association, told the Daily Star that the university was closed following the violence between the two factions of BCL and all residential students were asked to vacate their dormitories by 3:00pm yesterday.

The main purpose of this closure by the authorities is to avoid any further untoward incident, he said, adding that the dormitories will reopen on November 18 and classes or exams will resume the next day.

Requesting anonymity, a student said hostilities between the two rival groups of BCL at the Ruet escalated recently over theft incidents inside Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall and Shaheed Abdul Hamid Hall.   

Finally, on Thursday night around 9:00pm, the two groups locked horns with each other at Shaheed Abdul Hamid hall, leaving two students injured, he added.

Humyun Kabir, officer-in-charge of Motihar Police Station, said no one was arrested in connection with the incident and the situation was under control after additional police forces were deployed on the campus following the clash.