Tensions have risen in the southern province of Kosovo in Serbia after police violently dispersed thousands of ethnic Albanian students demonstrating against a Serbian ban on university education in their mother tongue.

In the regional capital, Pristina, police attacked the students with batons and riot gear as they attempted to march through the city's central square.

Thousands of other students, who were prevented from reaching the rally point by heavy police reinforcements, later protested in different parts of the city, holding up books to show the non-violent nature of their protest.

Reports say some of the students were beaten, and several arrested.

Similar scenes unfolded in six other towns and cities.

Serbian police beat an Albanian student

A BBC correspondent in the region says there are fears that the province, with its 90 per cent ethnic Albanian population, may become more unstable if the repression of Albanians continues.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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