Demanding protection: BKU students protest against university
Say administration’s negligence allowed terrorists to massacre students
Say administration’s negligence allowed terrorists to massacre students. PHOTO: APP
CHARSADDA:
Bacha Khan University (BKU) students slammed their institute’s administration on Friday for failing to protect lives and demanded security be handed over to the army. The pupils were holding a demonstration in front of the varsity campus.
Ehtisham, a student, said the administration was negligent; he was among those demanding the army’s protection. He said all security guards should have modern weapons, wireless sets and access to CCTV cameras.
Protesting students said most guards were daily wagers without proper training. They complained security was only maintained at the main gate; only identity cards were checked. “We need security from the government, not laptops,” chanted the students in their protest.
No heads-up
On the other hand, BKU Vice Chancellor Fazal Raheem Marwat denied the students’ allegations and said the university never received any warning from the police.
During a talk with the media at his office, the vice chancellor said the security guards showed exemplary courage and fought the terrorists at the university. He said of a total strength of 56 guards, 21 were present at that time of the attack. Marwat said both the guards and the police fought bravely to thwart another APS-like tragedy.
However, he did agree death tolls could have been reduced through proper training and the varsity was planning on carrying out such exercises. Marwat pointed out the armed forces were busy securing the border and therefore could not be posted for duty at universities. He announced special prizes would be given to the guards for their bravery.
On the day of the attack, university administration officer Shaukat told the media a warning of the attack had been received. However, this was denied by VC Marwat.
Closed
Most private schools in Charsadda were closed in response to the Bacha Khan University attack and student presence was low. District nazim Fahad Riaz Khan issued a notification to close all schools till January 31, but Charsadda DC Tahir Zafar Abbasi later overturned it. The combined factors of confusion over the notification and parents’ reluctance to send children to school resulted in a mere fraction of students attending their respective institutions.
Even though most schools in Charsadda started charging high fees in the wake of the APS massacre, few have installed any corresponding measures.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2016.
Bacha Khan University (BKU) students slammed their institute’s administration on Friday for failing to protect lives and demanded security be handed over to the army. The pupils were holding a demonstration in front of the varsity campus.
Ehtisham, a student, said the administration was negligent; he was among those demanding the army’s protection. He said all security guards should have modern weapons, wireless sets and access to CCTV cameras.
Protesting students said most guards were daily wagers without proper training. They complained security was only maintained at the main gate; only identity cards were checked. “We need security from the government, not laptops,” chanted the students in their protest.
No heads-up
On the other hand, BKU Vice Chancellor Fazal Raheem Marwat denied the students’ allegations and said the university never received any warning from the police.
During a talk with the media at his office, the vice chancellor said the security guards showed exemplary courage and fought the terrorists at the university. He said of a total strength of 56 guards, 21 were present at that time of the attack. Marwat said both the guards and the police fought bravely to thwart another APS-like tragedy.
However, he did agree death tolls could have been reduced through proper training and the varsity was planning on carrying out such exercises. Marwat pointed out the armed forces were busy securing the border and therefore could not be posted for duty at universities. He announced special prizes would be given to the guards for their bravery.
On the day of the attack, university administration officer Shaukat told the media a warning of the attack had been received. However, this was denied by VC Marwat.
Closed
Most private schools in Charsadda were closed in response to the Bacha Khan University attack and student presence was low. District nazim Fahad Riaz Khan issued a notification to close all schools till January 31, but Charsadda DC Tahir Zafar Abbasi later overturned it. The combined factors of confusion over the notification and parents’ reluctance to send children to school resulted in a mere fraction of students attending their respective institutions.
Even though most schools in Charsadda started charging high fees in the wake of the APS massacre, few have installed any corresponding measures.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2016.