Guwahati, Jan 7: Two hostels of Cotton University turned into a battlefield after a clash between the two hostels, injuring at least 15 students, who were later admitted at hospital on Wednesday night.

The clash between two hostels – Mahendra Nath Deka Phukan (MNDP) hostel and Sita Nath Brahma Choudhury (SNBC) hostel took place over the result of the general election of Students’ Union of the University.

Pragyam Protim Bora sustained severe injuries during the clash and was rushed to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) after he was shifted to a private hospital in the city on Thursday.

The reason for the brawl between the two hostels is said to be because of the seats won by the two hostels. MNDP hostel, backed by Satra Mukti Sangram Samiti (SMSS), won three important seats including vice-president, general secretary and assistant general secretary, while SNBC hostel, supported by Asom Chatra Parishad (ACP), won the seat of the president only.

Rustom Raj Brahma, officer in-charge of Panbazar police station, said both the hostels had lodged FIRs against each other.Rustom Raj Brahma said, “A case has been registered on the basis of an FIR lodged by MNDP hostel against SNBC hostel. They alleged that the students of SNBC hostel had attacked them with sticks and bamboo pieces at around 10.30 pm. They also accused the SNBC students of pelting stones on them, which resulted in injuries to more than 15 students of the MNDP hostel. A similar case has been registered against the MNDP hostel on the basis of an FIR by SNBC hostel with similar allegations.”

On the other hand, SMSS accused ACP for the incident which resulted in the clash between the two hostels.

“After winning the following posts our candidates and their supporters were celebrating in their hotel. The ACP, which is the student wing of Asom Gana Parishad, did not take the students’ election result lightly and their members entered the MNDP hostel and attacked the supporters and candidates of SMSS. We condemn the incident and demand for an investigation,” SMSS stated in a press statement.

“Police assaulted a teacher who came to take stock of the situation at MNDP hostel. Police should control the situation but not doing that they assaulted the teacher on his head. We condemn the government for such behaviour,” SMSS added.