Bhubaneswar, Sept. 4: Three students were injured in a clash between two groups of students on the Utkal University campus this evening. Tension gripped the campus following the clash.

Sources said the rivalry between the two groups owing allegiance to two different political parties had been on for a while. It has continued despite the decision of Utkal University authorities to call off student elections this year.

Soumendra Kundu, a sixth-year history student, alleged that he was beaten up by five youths, some of whom were students of the university, while he was sitting outside his hostel this evening. “While we were sitting outside our hostel, some youths came out of nowhere on motorcycles and attacked me. When other hostel inmates came to my rescue, the group fled. They have left behind a motorcycle,’ alleged Kundu.

On the other hand, Avinash Singh and Bishmay Das, both students of third-year integrated law, alleged that they were beaten up by some hostel mates. “Despite pressure from some students, I had not taken part in the organisational polls of the student wing of a party in April. Since then, students belonging to this party have been threatening me. Around 100 hostellers along with outsiders attacked my friends and me with sticks. They were also carrying weapons,” alleged Bismay. Both Avinash and Bismay suffered injuries in the attack and were rushed to Capital Hospital by the police.

Following the incident, hundreds of students gathered in front of Gopabandhu hostel and demanded security on campus. “Adequate police personnel have been deployed on the campus and we are keeping a close watch on the situation,” said a police official.