At least 60 people were injured in fierce clashes between students belonging to ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its coalition ally, the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami party at a premier madrasa leading to tension in capital Dhaka.

Police opened fire and used tear gas to disperse the students of the Alia Madrasa during the clashes that erupted last night over theft of a mobile phone leaving at least 60 people, including several policemen, injured, police said.

The students used bombs, sticks and knives to attack each other.

Tension was high and a strong police contingent was guarding the madrassa, they said. Most of the injured were being treated in hospitals.

The madrasa has been shut indefinitely and students have been asked to vacate their dormitories today. The two groups have clashed over the past weeks, but last night it turned "very violent," police said.

The Jamaat has two ministers in Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's BNP-led four-party alliance.

More reports from Bangladesh