DHAKA, Oct 30: The authorities closed the University of Rajshahi for an indefinite period on Saturday after a series of clashes in which more than 200 teachers, students , journalists and police personnel were injured. Some 50 of the victims sustained bullet injuries.

The agitating students, activists of the ruling BNP's student front and more than 500 controversially recruited employees vandalised all the university buses, offices in the administrative building, department and halls of residence.

The police fired 100 rubber bullets, lobbed about 100 teargas canisters and charged at the teachers and students with truncheons. The police arrested 50 students, including five girls, in this connection. The arrested include the university unit Chhatra Front president,

It all began with some female students of Tapasi Rabeya Hall, who were watching television at about 12:30am Saturday, saw three armed robbers on the roof of the hall. They cried out for help and called the proctor, assistant proctors, provost, house tutors and the hall superintendent.

Four women house tutors, provost and the hall superintendent went to the hall after an hour, which angered the students. The robbers meanwhile left the hall.