KARACHI, Feb 24: The activists of two student groups clashed at three city colleges within the jurisdictions of New Town and Jamshed Town police on Tuesday,

According to the claims made by the spokesmen of the two clashing sides, Islami Jamiat Talaba and All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization, at least 15 workers from the both sides were injured in the three clashes, which took place at the Islamia Arts and Commerce College, National College and PECHS Foundation College, within a span of one and a half hour.

The two sides blamed each other's workers of initiating scuffles. They also claimed that the injured persons were taken to Jinnah and Abbasi Shaheed hospitals, where, according to the IJT, condition of one of its worker, Faraz of National College, was critical.

The New Town police, confirming that a major clash between the two groups occurred, said that it was a results of the long-standing rivalries between the groups. Two FIRs bearing number 43/2004 and 44/2004 were registered at the New Town police station, which were lodged by IJT and the APMSO.

According to eyewitness, the groups used sticks, iron rods and stones against each other, within and outside the campuses. The injured workers of one group near National College were also pulled down of the police mobile taking them for medical aid, a source added.

It was learnt that a major brawl between the two groups took place at the National College, following which academic activities at the college were suspended for the day.

A source in the college said that teaching at National College would remain suspended on Wednesday, but teaching and non-teaching staff would attend their duties as usual.

An APMSO spokesperson alleged that IJT workers coming from Islamia Arts and Commerce College attacked his party workers at Foundation College at 9.30am and then the same workers went to National College and caused injuries to students there as well, without any provocation.

The IJT spokesman claimed that first their workers were beaten severely by the APMSO 'outsiders' at National College around 10am and then IJT activists were also tortured at Foundation College and Islamia Arts College for no obvious reasons.

Both sides have demanded of the government to arrest the quarters responsible for the ugly incidents and take action against them. In the meantime, the APMSO and IJT local leaders have blamed each other for violating the code of ethics signed earlier between the two groups on the initiative of the provincial government.

The reported victims of the clashes include, Naeem, Zeeshan, Omair, Ahsan, Abbas, Rahman, Fahad, Bilal, Faraz, Taimur, Abdur Rahman, Tariq. According to some reports, a teacher of National College, who tried to pacify the roiting students, was also manhandled.

Teaching activities at the Government Islamia Arts and Commerce College remained suspended, the source said. Sources in academic circles linked the latest spat of violence to the scuffle which occurred between the groups at Islamia College on Monday.