Blantyre - Police have arrested 46 student protestors from the University of Malawi after they clashed with riot police during a demonstration, a police officer said on Sunday.

The police officer said from the university town of Zomba, 70km from the commercial capital Blantyre, that the students will be charged with "general public disorder and breach of peace".

He said the students clashed with police on Saturday after they refused to stop a peaceful demonstration, which later turned violent.

Thabo Nyirenda, a student leader said the students were protesting against the university's decree that practicals for some students would only be held next year due to a lack of funds.

'Students clashed with police'

"It started as a peaceful demonstration but the students were angered when riot police fired teargas at them," Nyirenda said.

Witnesses said the students smashed government vehicles and those belonging to the ruling United Democratic Front of outgoing President Bakili Muluzi, due to step down after next month's elections.

The students used rocks and boulders to block the main road leading to the university, on the outskirts of the former colonial capital city.

There were no injuries reported and the extent of the damage was not clear.

College principal Francis Moto said the governing university council had closed the college "indefinitely because of the violence and general disorder". - Sapa-AFP

Published on the Web by IOL on 2004-04-19 06:42:03