Lubumbashi (DR Congo), Jan 27 (AFP) A student and a policeman were killed on Sunday in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo after a protest over water and electricity outages at a university turned violent, police said.

Lubumbashi university, whose student body numbers nearly 10,000, and the surrounding neighbourhood have been without power or water for three days after cables and pipes were damaged in torrential rain.

Clashes broke out after police used tear gas and warning shots to try to disperse crowds of students returning from the governor's residence in Upper Katanga.

"I just lost a police officer hit by an anti-riot vehicle," said General Paulin Kyungu, head of the police in Upper Katanga.

"I also learn that a student died from gunshot wounds," he added.

University president Kishiba Fitula said another three students were injured, adding that the "situation is calm again."

The violence came after new President Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in on Thursday, marking DR Congo's first peaceful handover of power after chaotic and bitterly disputed elections. (AFP) RUP

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)