Patna, Sept. 16: Blasts and violent clashes between two groups of students rocked Patna University on Saturday. While six students suffered injuries in the clashes, the police seized a live bomb from the university premises.

The trouble began around 1pm when inmates of Minto and Iqbal hostels exchanged blows. The incident was reminiscent of an altercation on Thursday in which a student was injured. The two groups were waiting for an opportune moment to retaliate.

City superintendent of police (central) D. Amarkesh said the police rushed to the spot after being informed about the clash. 'Efforts are on to ascertain the identity of those involved in the blast and violence,' he said, adding that CCTV footage has been obtained.

The City SP confirmed that at least two bombs went off on the university campus.

Residents said at least four bombs were hurled in front of the Patna College principal's office. But nobody was injured in the blasts. A live bomb was recovered from a nearby field and defused by bomb disposal squad personnel. 'It is being ascertained whether any unauthorised occupant was living in any of the university hostels,' he told The Telegraph.

Additional armed police force had been deployed to ward off any untoward incident. 'A named FIR will be lodged with the Pirbahore police station on the basis of the video footage of the clash,' said a senior police officer. He, however, denied that demand for Dussehra donation had sparked off the incident. 'There is a long history of clashes between Minto and Iqbal hostel inmates. This is not a new phenomenon,' the city SP said.

University authorities said repair work was going on at Minto hostel. Once the work is complete, verification of inmates would be done. Earlier, illegal occupants were evicted from the two hostels on the Patna High Court's directive.

A source said irregularities in allotment of rooms to students was said to be the reason behind the clashes.

The fight broke out when some students had gone to deposit challan (receipt) of the hostel rooms allotted to them at the university office counter. The source said searches were carried out at the two hostels. The police had earlier been tipped off that crude bombs were being manufactured inside the hostel.

'This is serious matter and the university as well as police officers should take notice,' a senior teacher of the university said.