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DHAKA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Authorities closed Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) indefinitely on Sunday following weeks of student unrest.

"We have decided to close the university with immediate effect in the face of continuing student unrest and their attempt to create anarchy on the campus," Vice-Chancellor Ali Murtaza told reporters.

The students have been asked to vacate their dormitories before Sunday evening, he said.

Violence among students backed by rival political parties has been a common feature on most Bangladesh campus, including the country's biggest Dhaka University.

Earlier, at least 15 students from Dhaka's 7,500-student BUET were injured as police used batons and teargas to disperse them during a campus protest on Sunday.

Witnesses said police acted as the students threatened to storm the Vice-Chancellor's office following a week of protest over the killing of a female student in July and demand for punishment of her killers.

Sabekunnahar Sony was fatally hit by a bullet during a gunbattle between between rival student groups.

Authorities at the university said they were investigating the killing. But hundreds of protesters gathered outside the vice chancellor's office on Sunday and threatened to force their way in, one university official said.

Police guarding the campus went into action using batons and teargas, said the official who asked not to be named.

"The protesters dispersed in the face of police action but may regroup for further protest," he said.

In an effort to avert further violence, the authorities had banned student politics at the university and suspended classes for weeks but tension persisted.

Last week, dozens of BUET students began a hunger protest, demanding punishment of Sony's killers. Several of the protesters have been hospitalised after they suffered acute dehydration and condition of others are deteriorating, witnesses said.

BUET, which has boasted until recently of having a peaceful campus, is one of Bangladesh's most prestigious educational institutions. 

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