According to police officials, several police teams took over two hours to control the situation after a group of students belonging to the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) were involved in a scuffle with members of the Peoples Students Federation (PSF) outside Government Emerson College in Multan.
Cantt Superintendent Police Asif Shehzad told The Express Tribune that both student unions were actually trying to refrain from forming their student wings in Emerson College. Each group wanted the other to take the lead in speaking to the administration and negotiating their demands and both groups blamed the other for spreading ‘militancy’ on campus. “When we tried to mediate and calm the situation they started throwing bricks and opened fire. That was why we had to resort to tear gas shelling and baton charge,” Shehzad added.
The clash began when PSF activists barred MSF members from entering the college in the morning before a gathering for the restructuring of the MSF wing began. The PSF claimed that the MSF activists were carrying weapons and hence, were not allowed to enter. “Half of their people were sporting guns. How could we let them in?” said PSF member Asif Khan. PSF leaders also announced that they would not let the MSF come into the student government for Emerson College because the group was allegedly advocating ‘militancy’ among students.
The MSF retorted to the act by aerial firing and by destroying the building of the college. The PSF activists then locked the college gate and remained inside until the police arrived at the scene. The police took charge of the situation worsened and baton-charged the protesting activists.
They arrested at least 15 members of the MSF. Later, when the PSF opened the college gate, the police arrested over 10 PSF activists as well. The police successfully managed to disperse the mob and continued to hold its position outside the college for several hours.
Four people were injured during the armed clash and the injured have been admitted to Nishtar Hospital for treatment. The clash continued for 2 to 3 hours and an FIR of the incident has been registered.
Asif Shehzad said that the police would not let anybody take the law into their own hands and disturb the peace for political gain. Police officials have also confiscated all weapons from MSF students.The PSF is the student wing of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the MSF is the student wing of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2012.
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Clash between student organizations but no IJT name. Simply Amazing!