Rajshahi Medical College yesterday closed a student dormitory for an indefinite period following a clash between activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Around 300 students, 40 of them foreign, of Kazi Nurunnabi Hostel were asked to vacate their rooms within 6:00pm, said Vice Principal Nowshad Ali.
Many of the students are now sharing rooms at other hostels while some went to their relatives' houses in the city.
Around 1:00am on Friday, the college authorities asked police to conduct a raid at the hostel after a clash ensued between BCL and Shibir activists over holding a "rag day" for interns, said OC Amanullah of Rajpara Police Station. Several gunshots were also heard, he added.
During the raid, police seized several Chinese axes, knives, anti-state leaflets and Jihadi books, he said.
“We took the decision to close the hostel sensing anti-state radical activities,” said the vice principal.
The authorities will reallocate the seats before reopening the hostel, one of six hostels of the college, ensuring the students' security, he added.
Five intern doctors belonging to Shibir were also arrested from the hostel, said the OC.