Tensions at QAU: Students block road to protest ‘outsiders’ on campus
Scuffles with members of IJT had left several students injured on Sunday
Quaid-e-Azam University has still not lodged an FIR against robbers who made away with money and cell phones. PHOTO: QAU.EDU.PK
ISLAMABAD:
Tension gripped the Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) on Monday after some students blocked a road leading to the varsity to protest against the Islami Jamiat Talba (IJT), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).
The protest came a day after some varsity students were left severely injured following a scuffle between the students and some ‘outsiders’. On Sunday, students said some outsiders attacked them on campus with iron rods leaving several students injured. One student was reportedly shot as well.
Students claimed that the outsiders belonged to IJT.
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A fight was also reported between students a week ago. The students claimed that scuffles with IJT are bred out of their resistance to activities by members of the student wing to allegedly spread their extremist agenda and influence.
The unrest also spread panic among some new students and their parents who were on campus to submit fees.
Members of the teaching faculty and students have also expressed their concerns over lack of security measures on campus, especially in the wake of terrorist attacks in Lahore, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Peshawar and Sindh.
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“We are not equipped if anything untoward happens on campus since the university security is unable to handle 15 to 20 students paralysing the campus,” said one faculty member who did not wish to be named.
Apart from the varsity’s own security guards, extra security guards patrol the campus. But the university remains vulnerable from western and northern sides due to an incomplete boundary wall.
The QAU vice chancellor, registrar, and the dean - who looks after security matters - did not respond despite repeated attempts to contact them.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2017.
Tension gripped the Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) on Monday after some students blocked a road leading to the varsity to protest against the Islami Jamiat Talba (IJT), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).
The protest came a day after some varsity students were left severely injured following a scuffle between the students and some ‘outsiders’. On Sunday, students said some outsiders attacked them on campus with iron rods leaving several students injured. One student was reportedly shot as well.
Students claimed that the outsiders belonged to IJT.
Punjab University bids farewell to 1,454 graduates
A fight was also reported between students a week ago. The students claimed that scuffles with IJT are bred out of their resistance to activities by members of the student wing to allegedly spread their extremist agenda and influence.
The unrest also spread panic among some new students and their parents who were on campus to submit fees.
Members of the teaching faculty and students have also expressed their concerns over lack of security measures on campus, especially in the wake of terrorist attacks in Lahore, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Peshawar and Sindh.
Reshuffle: Iqra University appoints new VC
“We are not equipped if anything untoward happens on campus since the university security is unable to handle 15 to 20 students paralysing the campus,” said one faculty member who did not wish to be named.
Apart from the varsity’s own security guards, extra security guards patrol the campus. But the university remains vulnerable from western and northern sides due to an incomplete boundary wall.
The QAU vice chancellor, registrar, and the dean - who looks after security matters - did not respond despite repeated attempts to contact them.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2017.