Face-off: 18 injured in clash at Punjab University

Teachers threatened to shut down the university after the police refused to arrest the IJT activists


Ammar Sheikh December 16, 2016
Scholar sheds light on multifaceted historical significance of Sikh monuments. PHOTO: EXPRESS

LAHORE: At least 10 security guards and eight students were injured on Saturday during a clash in Punjab University between a student group and the administration. Teachers have warned of shutting down the university if the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) activists are not booked and arrested.

The clash took place when the varsity officials tried to call off a seminar on the separation of East Pakistan under way at Hostel No 1 of the university. The PU administration said the seminar was organised without prior permission from the university.

When the security guards intervened, students attacked them outside the hostels. One of the guards was injured by the IJT activists, after which more guards were called to the hostel. At least 18 people were reportedly injured. Later, students and guards pelted stones and attacked each other with sticks.

Teachers led by PU Vice-Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran gathered at the site to take stock of the situation and police were called in to restore peace inside the campus.

Teachers threatened to shut down the university after the police refused to arrest the IJT activists.

IJT spokesperson Amjad Bukhari said activities were arranged for the 2nd anniversary of the APS attack and the separation of East Pakistan, for which permission had been taken from the administration. He blamed the vice-chancellor for the clash, claiming the whole confrontation was “orchestrated by him”.

PU administration officials said the hostel room had been occupied by IJT activists and they had not taken prior permission from the administration to hold a seminar at the premises.

Separately, the parked vehicle of PU Hall Council Chairman Prof Dr Abid Hussain Chaudhry was also damaged allegedly by two IJT activists for ‘taking action against illegal residents at university hostels’.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2016.

 

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