22 arrested ahead of CM’s UHS visit

LAHORE: Over 22 university employees were arrested for allegedly attempting to sabotage a youth symposium, ahead of the Punjab chief minister’s visit to the University of Health Sciences (UHS).

The employees stated that they wanted to protest the wrongful termination of several colleagues despite direct orders from the chief minister.  They stated that they had gathered to prove to Shahbaz Sharif that the administration was involved in corruption.

The participants were rounded up on Friday morning as they gathered and blocked the main road outside the UHS. They were taken to the Model Town police station and FIRs were registered against them.

The protestors accused the vice-chancellor of filing a complaint against them to keep them from presenting any kind of evidence against the administration.

Abbas, a protestor who managed to escape arrest, stated that the university had terminated staffers even after the CM himself had directed the vice chancellor to regularise their jobs. He stated that the protestors just wanted to record their complaints.

Another employee named Javed, who was injured in the ensuing clash, accused officials of Model Town police station of charging at protestors with batons. He was taken to the Sheikh Zayed Hospital for treatment.

SP Iqbal Town Sohail Chaudhary stated that the protestors were arrested for blocking the main road and creating a security situation ahead of the chief minister’s planned visit. He stated that police officials warned about the protest by the UHS vice chancellor.

The SP denied that the protestors were beaten up or injured in the incident. He further added that media personnel were granted free access to the university and the arrests were captured on film.

Assistant Sub Inspector Mumtaz Ahmed of Model Town police station said that it was the responsibility of the police to secure the chief minister’s route. He stated that the protestors refused to move and clear the way after repeated requests. He stated that police officials had to take action at their persistent refusal. The employees were later released on the chief minister’s order immediately after the Youth Convention.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2010.