Over 200 Hurt In Bangladesh Campus Violence

More than 200 people including several policemen were injured in clashes with students of technical colleges across Bangladesh on Tuesday over a new, more stringent academic policy.

At least 30 vehicles including at least four police vans were damaged as police fired teargas shells to disperse stone throwing students.

The violence was reported from at least 10 cities and towns in the country's north, south and eastern regions. Police arrested at least 20 students for resorting to violence.

Most people were injured in Rajshahi city some 300 km (187 miles) northwest of the capital Dhaka.

"The situation is now under control and the security has been tightened across the country, especially around technical colleges," a senior police officer in Dhaka told Reuters.

The violence erupted as police went into action when students vandalised vehicles demanding cancellation of the new academic policy, under which students would be expelled if they failed in any of exam subjects, and only able to resume their studies in the next year.

In the past students failing in one subject could appear for a supplementary exam to pass and stay in their courses.