A chase and counter-chase took place between students of Khulna University (KU) and some local residents near the campus on Friday night over a Facebook post.

Locals said a number of KU students assaulted Sajal, a local youth, over his Facebook posts on the drug situation inside the university and alleged immoral activities at some houses on Hall Road.

When Sajal's friends and other locals gathered at the hall gate after hearing about the incident the students assaulted an elderly local man as well, they said.

Some university students alleged that a person using a pseudonym on social media made offensive posts targeting university students and then they called him to Khaja Gate area to seek an explanation.

Then a group of people gathered there with the backing of some political figures and began taking the elderly man away while beating him.

They alleged that the group then attacked the students and threw bricks and stones at them, injuring several students.

The students claimed that they did not initiate any attack and that the situation escalated after they came under attack.

Prof Dr Md Salauddin, director of student affairs at KU, said police and teachers have brought the situation under control.

“An investigation is underway to determine what triggered the incident,” he said.

The youth who was in the custody of the students was handed over to Harintana Police Station, he added.

Md Iqbal Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Harintana Police Station said tension escalated over what appeared to be a minor incident.

The situation is now completely under control, he said.