Bhubaneswar, Oct. 31: Three students were hurt today in a clash between two groups of students at Maharshi College of Natural Law. The college authorities had to suspend classes for the day. Saheed Nagar police detained five students in connection with the clash. The incident took place when the half-yearly exams were in progress. Exam for the science students was over at 12pm and commerce exam was to start at 1pm. “In between, around 20 outsiders and some college students entered the premises and assaulted three commerce students at the cycle stand,” said Amandeep Sahu, a student. In the clash, Abhisek Satpathy, a Plus Two second-year commerce student was hurt. Two other students, Debashis and Taslim, were also injured. Abhisek said a group of students had been targeting him for the past several days. “The students came and suddenly attacked me with sticks. I sustained injuries in my head and face,” said he. The students alleged that despite the police were present near the gate, the incident occurred in front of them and they did not do anything. They even alleged that the college-appointed security staff did not even prevent the outsiders from entering the campus. However, the police said three policemen were deployed at the college gate. A policeman said as the attackers were clad in college uniform, they did not suspect them. “However, after sometime we heard the students quarrelling. When we rushed towards them, they fled the spot through the other gate,” said the officer. Apprehending tension more police were deployed on the campus and the college authorities suspended classes for today. Principal Madan Mohan Sahu said he had received complaints from the students regarding the clash. “I will forward the complaints to the police and whatever the steps to be taken, the police will take,” said Sahu. He said these students have been quarrelling outside the campus and bringing the matters in the college. “As the exams are going on, we cannot take any step against them. After the exam, our staff council meeting will be held to take a decision against the erring students,” Sahu said. Sources said the injured clashed with the rival group last evening outside the campus and today’s incident was the fall out of a long rivalry between these two groups. Sahid Nagar police said they had got two complaints from both the sides. “We found some students had been involved in the previous clashes on the campus and they had been creating problems for other students. We will arrest such unruly students and will forward them to court,” said a senior police officer.