Bhubaneswar, Dec. 5: A clash between two groups of students sparked tension at the BJB Autonomous College here today.

Police said today's incident was a fallout of a rivalry that dated back to the students' union polls in September. This year, the college authorities had called off the polls.

Members of one group alleged that one of their supporters was assaulted yesterday, forcing them to lodge a complaint at Badagada police station. However, he alleged that the cops did not initiate action against the perpetrators.

According to sources, the two groups, armed with sticks and tubes, assembled on the campus today and got involved in a scuffle. The cops rushed to the spot and separated the two groups. The police said no one was injured in today's incident.

On September 26, some goons lobbed a low-intensity crude bomb on the campus, sparking panic among the students. The incident had forced the college authorities not to go ahead with conducting the students' election. Besides, a student, who had filed his nomination for the election, tried to immolate himself in front of the college, further escalating the situation.

Principal Md Nawaz Hasan said they were keeping tabs on both the groups.

"We have held discussions with both the groups for the past few months. After today's incident, we requested the police to initiate action against the errant students," he said.

The students, however, expressed displeasure with the frequent unrest on campus.

"A handful of students have been creating nuisance on the campus for the past few months. The rivalry has not only hampered our studies, but also dented the institute's reputation. The cops and the college authorities should take stringent measures against the trouble-makers," said a student of the college, on condition of anonymity.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said one platoon of police had been deployed on the campus to maintain law and order.

"We have taken a serious note of frequent unrest on the campus. We will initiate action according to law against the trouble-makers, including students," he said.