HYDERABAD, Sept 8: Four students, two teachers and four Rangers personnel were injured when clashes broke out in the Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, over rustication of five students by Vice-Chancellor Bashir Sheikh. Students staged a sit-in outside the administration office to protest against the order.

The situation took a violent turn when they tried to intercept university buses, forcing Rangers to intervene.

The Rangers resorted to baton charge, causing minor injuries to students including girls and two teachers.

Five students, Ejaz Samoo, Khalilur Rehman, Zohaib Pathan, Faiz Pitafi and Niaz Pitafi were rusticated last week prompting a protest campaign by their colleagues.

The cause of the rustication could not be ascertained.

The students were raising slogans against the university administration.

Some 15 students are reported to have been detained by Rangers.

TPO Khawar Sheikh denied the arrest of any student.

A case would be registered at the Tandojam police station, he said.

The situation worsened in the evening when students and Rangers exchanged fire. However, Rangers denied having fired on students.

A Tando Jam police official said there was heavy pelting of stones on Rangers outside the hostel’s main gate, causing injuries to four personnel including Inspector Mohammad Khan Nizamani.

Local journalists and photographers were barred from performing their duty and mauled by personnel of law-enforcement agencies.

A journalist told Dawn that he was detained by personnel of law-enforcement agencies for two hours and was maltreated.

A photographer was injured and his camera broken.

A large contingent of Rangers cordoned the main hostel and conducted searches.