Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – Dozens of people were injured and scores of cars vandalized in a bloody clash between two disputing parties wanting to lead the foundation responsible for running the North Sumatra Islamic University (UISU) in Medan.

The clash occurred Wednesday morning when a group in favor of Sariani heading the foundation stormed into the university campus which was occupied by supporters of Helmi Nasution.

The brawl, which lasted for more than three hours, caused exams to be postponed at the university. Teachers from a nearby elementary school also postponed final term exams due to safety concerns.

An eyewitness, F. Panggabean, 46, said the clash between the two camps began at 5 a.m. local time.

The witness, who has been living near the campus for several years, said the brawl broke out when hundreds of Sariani supporters in three trucks entered the campus.

The invading party were armed with wooden clubs and conducted a sweeping of university security guards from the Helmi camp before the fight broke out.

"Helmi supporters, who were attacked by Sariani men, fled the campus. Not long after, raging residents arrived at the scene and threw rocks at door and window panes and vandalized campus facilities. The residents were Helmi supporters," said Panggabean, expressing anger over the incident due to the fact her child could not sit the elementary school exam.

Head of organizational affairs and human resources from the Sariani camp, Usman Pelly, said his group had coordinated with police before entering the campus.

Usman said they entered forcefully due to the action taken by Helmi who had mobilized thugs to control the campus.

He added that his group had to assemble around 200 people to oust the thugs who were under the command of the Helmi camp.

A lawyer for the Sariani group, Syahruzal Yusuf, said the men who were deployed to expel the Helmi mob were campus security guards hired to protect the legitimate leader of the foundation.

The internal row within the foundation has continued for some time between Helmi and Sariani who both claim to be the legitimate head of the foundation. The case was heard in the Medan District Court, but a court ruling on the legitimate leader of the foundation was not handed down.

Chairman of the UISU Alumni Association Rafriandi Nasution said his group were disappointed with police who were not quick and assertive in ending the clash.

"I was told that a person was allegedly tossed from the fourth floor and had died but their body is still missing," said Rafriandi, who is also a legislative councillor in North Sumatra.

North Sumatra Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Aspan Nainggolan said police had mobilized hundreds of personnel to prevent the incident from spreading. He also said police would station personnel outside the campus until Monday in anticipation of further clashes.

"We will pull out our personnel when the situation is safe. We have been handling this case very seriously," Aspan said, adding that police have detained 37 people involved in the clash.