Clashes erupt between rival student groups at university campus, 15 students injured

ANKARA

Police forces that arrived on the scene used water cannons and tear gas to quell the students. DHA photo

A clash between two student groups at Ankara's Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) late April 24 ended with the deployment of police on the main campus, leaving at least 15 students injured. A fight reportedly broke out between students belonging to the Turkish Youth Union (TGB) association and another group said to be close to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) movement during the afternoon hours.

Police forces that arrived on the scene used water cannons and tear gas to quell the students. While many students left the scene, a group reportedly responded to the police by throwing stones. Fifteen students injured during the fight and police intervention have been taken to the hospital. A young female student reportedly passed out due to the use of tear gas, according to Doğan news agency.

Both groups accused the other of initiating the fight, daily Hürriyet reported. Turkish Youth Union members said the other group called them "fascist" while the rival group said TGB members were chanting "ODTÜ will be the tomb of the pro-Kurdish."

Another fight at ODTÜ led to a strong police intervention on April 10. Police officers have remained deployed at the university since then, sparking the fury of many students.