PUTIN PARTY ON TOP

A GUNMAN has opened fire at a university in Russia, leaving eight people dead and 28 wounded, officials said.

The suspect was detained after being injured in an exchange of fire with police, the Interior Ministry said.

There was no i mmediate information on his identity or possible motive.

During the attack, students and staff at Perm State University locked themselves in rooms, and video posted on Russian news sites showed some jumping out of second- storey windows.

In some footage, a black- clad, helmeted figure could be seen striding on a campus pavement cradl ing weapon.

Russian investigators said the gunman fired a smoothbore hunting weapon. That could indicate he used a shotgun.

A traffic police unit was the first to reach the scene, and the suspect opened fire on them, according to the Interior Ministry. He was wounded when police returned fire and then disarmed, the ministry said.

Although firearms laws are strictinRussia,manypeople obtain permits for hunting weapons.

News reports cited officials as saying the suspect had a permit for a pump- action shotgun, a long- barrel led

RUSSIA’S ruling party has retained its supermajority in parliament, cementing President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power in elections.

Results from nearly 99 per cent of the country’s polling stations last night gave the United Russia party 49.8 per cent in a ballot that barred most opposition politicians. although it was not clear if it was the weapon used.

In May, a gunman opened fire at a school in the city of Kazan, killing seven students and two teachers, with a registered weapon.

The Perm university, which has 12,000 students, said about 3,000 people were on the campus at the time of the shooting.

Weapon

The city of Perm is about 700 miles east of Moscow with a population of about a million.

The Investigative Committee said 28 people were injured, with some admitted to hospital, but did not give details.

The Health Ministry said 19 were shot. It was not clear how the others were injured.

Candidates opposed to United Russia in the capital had been ahead in more than half of 15 electoral districts, but all lost after electronic voters were added in.

“It’s a disgrace and a real crime!” Communist candidate Valery Rashkin told crowds that had gathered in Moscow.