A student died in a riot that erupted last Thursday at the Technical College of Ardayta College in the Western Arsi Zone of the Oromia Regional State.

Some students of the college told The Reporter that there were long standing disputes between the students and the management of the college. According to eye witnesses, the students smashed windows of classrooms and the library in the premises of the college. They said the students also broke the glasses of vehicles belonging to the college.

Members of the Oromia police who were called in by the college administration shot three students the witnesses said, adding one of the students passed away after he was taken to Assela Hospital. The other two students who were wounded are being treated at Yirgalem Hospital.

An official working at the college's administration and finance department said that there were only eight policemen who tried to quell the riot in which all the challenge's students participated. The official confirmed the death of the student. He added body was sent to his family in Kemisse town in the Amahara Regional State.

The official said the riot flared up following the students' grievance with the outcome of the election of different committees in the college.

The Oromia Police in Western Arsi Zone were not available for comment.

By Kaleyesus Bekele