Reconciliation: PU withdraws cases against student activists
Spokesperson says move based on improving functioning at varsity
PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
The Punjab University management has been directed to withdraw cases against some Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) activists booked over a recent clash on campus.
In a bizarre move, Dr Zafar Moeen Nasar, the newly appointed acting vice-chancellor of Punjab University, has ordered the administration to withdraw the cases and to ‘start afresh’ with the IJT to minimise differences with the student unions.
The new notification issued by the university reads: “With reference to a notification number D/1367/HC dated December 30, 2016 regarding students of the university who are involved in criminal activity and are wanted by the Muslim Town police station issued by the Hall Council Chairman is hereby withdrawn. Thus, it is requested that wardens and superintendents (of hostels) take no action on the aforementioned notification.”
On December 16, as many as 18 university guards and IJT activists were injured in a clash at the Punjab University Hostel No 1. The clash broke out when the varsity officials tried to stop a seminar on the fall of Dhaka organised by the IJT at the hostel.
The PU administration claimed that the seminar was being held without prior permission, while the IJT said that the varsity administration had given them permission and they were attacked by the university guards unprovoked.
The varsity teachers launched a protest over the clash and demanded that the IJT activists must be arrested otherwise they would boycott classes.
Taking action on the issue, the Muslim Town Police issued a list of 40 students and had asked the PU administration to take action against the accused and expel them from the university.
Sources told The Express Tribune that Dr Zafar held a meeting with the IJT activists and both came to a mutual agreement to ‘help each other out for the betterment of the university’.
The move has created panic among teachers and students, against what they term the rise of ‘IJT hooliganism’ and their use of violence against teachers and students.
The Punjab University spokesperson said the move was based on improving the functioning of the varsity. He said the administration was utilising all energy to uplift teaching and research standards. “Opening old issues will create law and order situation on campus and will detract administration’s attention. The administration does not want to create an environment of confrontation and wants to keep the atmosphere peaceful,” the spokesperson said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2017.
The Punjab University management has been directed to withdraw cases against some Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) activists booked over a recent clash on campus.
In a bizarre move, Dr Zafar Moeen Nasar, the newly appointed acting vice-chancellor of Punjab University, has ordered the administration to withdraw the cases and to ‘start afresh’ with the IJT to minimise differences with the student unions.
The new notification issued by the university reads: “With reference to a notification number D/1367/HC dated December 30, 2016 regarding students of the university who are involved in criminal activity and are wanted by the Muslim Town police station issued by the Hall Council Chairman is hereby withdrawn. Thus, it is requested that wardens and superintendents (of hostels) take no action on the aforementioned notification.”
On December 16, as many as 18 university guards and IJT activists were injured in a clash at the Punjab University Hostel No 1. The clash broke out when the varsity officials tried to stop a seminar on the fall of Dhaka organised by the IJT at the hostel.
The PU administration claimed that the seminar was being held without prior permission, while the IJT said that the varsity administration had given them permission and they were attacked by the university guards unprovoked.
The varsity teachers launched a protest over the clash and demanded that the IJT activists must be arrested otherwise they would boycott classes.
Taking action on the issue, the Muslim Town Police issued a list of 40 students and had asked the PU administration to take action against the accused and expel them from the university.
Sources told The Express Tribune that Dr Zafar held a meeting with the IJT activists and both came to a mutual agreement to ‘help each other out for the betterment of the university’.
The move has created panic among teachers and students, against what they term the rise of ‘IJT hooliganism’ and their use of violence against teachers and students.
The Punjab University spokesperson said the move was based on improving the functioning of the varsity. He said the administration was utilising all energy to uplift teaching and research standards. “Opening old issues will create law and order situation on campus and will detract administration’s attention. The administration does not want to create an environment of confrontation and wants to keep the atmosphere peaceful,” the spokesperson said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2017.