The authorities of Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) have suspended eight students belonging to the college unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, including its general secretary Ashiqur Rahman Chowdhury, for breaking discipline on the campus.

Seven others are MBBS fourth year students Rakibuzzaman Jony, Tanikur Rahman Titu, Nahiduzzaman and third year dental students Abdur Rouf, Navid Anjum Rishat, Manjurul Ahsan Moon and Jawad Hossain Khan.

The Academic Council and Disciplinary Committee in a joint meeting yesterday decided to suspend the students for six months on the basis of a report of the probe committee formed after June 20 incident.

RMC Principal Abdul Hannan, who chaired the meeting, confirmed the authorities' decision that will come into effect soon.

Two rival BCL groups clashed on the campus on June 20 over formation of a college unit committee of Bangladesh Dental Society. Tanveer Sarif, a supporter of BCL RMC unit President Sampad Kumar Dutta, was critically injured by his opponents belonging to General Secretary Ashiq group during the clash.

After the incident, the college authorities formed a probe committee headed by Orthopaedics Department chief Prof BK Dam. The committee in its report held the eight BCL men responsible for the incident, RMC Academic Council sources said.

A week ago, the college authorities suspended five students belonging to RMC BCL unit for one year on charge of assaulting Dr Nawshad Ali of the college onjune21.

The punished students are BCL RMC unit chief Sampad Kumar Dutta, president of a faction Bangladesh Dental Society Abidur Rahman, general secretary Kamoi Hasda, and BCL activists Khandoker Al Mamun and Sandwip Kumar Moitra.

The students were punished on a probe report submitted medicine department chief Prof Saifuddin Ekram. The probe body also recommended that RMCH director take action against Intern Doctors' Association President Shah Alam Siddiki Lalon for his involvement in the June 21 incident.

According to RMC sources, the five punished students yesterday submitted petitions to RMC Principal Abdul Hannan to exempt them from punishment.