Zimbabwean students clash with riot police over army killing

Paramilitary riot police in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, fought running battles today with hundreds of university students protesting against the killing of one of their colleagues by soldiers.

‘‘Police fired tear gas and the students retaliated with stones,’’ said a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe’s Harare campus.

The students were angered by the death of Lameck Chemvura, 22, who witnesses said was strangled and then thrown from a moving train by soldiers on Saturday. Chemvura was accused of supporting the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

‘‘The Zimbabwe National Army is now a terrorist organisation. This is a clear declaration of war against students and the rest of Zimbabweans,’’ said a petition circulated by the students’ union.

It called for the resignation of President Robert Mugabe, 77, who is commander-in-chief of the army.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said Chemvura’s killing took place during a brawl and was not political motivated.

Bvudzijena said one soldier had been arrested and charged with Chemvura’s murder, although witnesses said six soldiers flung him from the train.