A clash between two popular halls on the campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has left many injured and the destruction of properties in its wake, according to reports.
The reports say, the incident happened on Sunday, July 4, 2021.
Properties destroyed at the Ashanti Region-based university include desks and glass windows.
Joy News reports that the Public Relations officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) at KNUST, Caleb Asamoah Temeng, has explained that the incident occurred during the vetting of aspirants for the school’s SRC at the Great Hall of the University.
The incident reportedly begun during the procession of the two halls noted for their rivalry into the Great Hall to support their candidates who were aspiring for posts in the SRC.
“When the ‘Katangees’ arrived, there was some sort of confusion between them and the Continentals. One gentleman believed to be part of the management team of an aspirant from Conti was preventing the ‘Katangees’ from entering the Hall. This caused the first chaos between the two sides,†SRC PRO told Joy News.
The vetting process comes to an abrupt end as rival halls Conti and Katanga hold concurrent morale sessions and refuse to agree to procedures at the Great Hall.#SRCVetting#Campus360 pic.twitter.com/kIXlW1cqrD
— Campus360 Gh 🌐 (@Campus360_daily) July 4, 2021
The Electoral Commission officials supervising the vetting were unable to handle the rapidly escalating situation and hence postponed the process.
A full-blown fight reportedly broke out.
According to Caleb Temeng, the students further vandalised school property in the process.
The Great Hall in shambles after clashes between Conti and Katanga.#SRCVetting #Campus360 pic.twitter.com/6YCMiZeQhZ
— Campus360 Gh 🌐 (@Campus360_daily) July 4, 2021
“It is believed that the Continentals first threw a bottle of urine in the direction of where the ‘Katangees’ had gathered. So the ‘Katangees’ also retaliated. The exchange was followed by the destruction of chairs in the great hallâ€, Caleb Asamoah Temeng is quoted in a report.
“The fight broke, It was very bizarre. Someone even threw a machete, which is suspected to have hurt someone. There were knives and other weapons that were used to attack members of the halls involved. I can say there are both minor and major injuries that need urgent medical attention “, he added.
Calm was restored after security personnel on campus intervened.
Bloody clashes on KNUST campuses by hall members are not uncommon.