Protesters demand end to violence

LAHORE: The tense situation at the Punjab University has seen the closure of entry points to the campus. Everyday, students are seen quarrelling with the security staff, while student organisations hold protests outside university.

A protest was taken out by the Pakhtun Education Development Movement (PEDM) joined by the Baloch and Sindhi student councils. They blocked Canal Road Bridge near the PU and demanded an end to ‘hooliganism’ of the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT).

The protesters shouted slogans against the IJT and blocked the traffic from all sides. Police officials held talks with the students, who after mounting pressure by commuters to unblock the roads, took their rally to the campus.

The IJT, meanwhile, also held a protest on the Bhaikay Wal Morr. The demonstrators shouted slogans against the alleged assault of their members and decried the arrest of their activists by police.

Three students were removed from an examination hall after some Pakhtun students pointed out that these individuals were part of the IJT and involved in the violence last week.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2017.