24 students booked after violent protests
Khanna police have registered two separate cases against the students for vandalism during their violent protest on Faizabad Interchange and Islamabad Expressway, booking 24 protesters on Sunday.
The matriculation and intermediate students had staged a protest against physical exams on Saturday in which they not only damaged public and private properties but pelted stones at the police as well.
The provisions of two separate first information reports (FIRs) include charges of damaging public property and damaging private vehicles.
One of the cases has been registered on the complaint of a citizen while the other on behalf of the state.
The Islamabad police officials said they have arrested some 24 protesters who were part of the demonstration along with two other suspects who had looted a motorist after breaking the windows of his car. The police have also impounded 41 motorcycles owned by the protesters.
A spokesperson said that peaceful protest was the right of every citizen but disrupting traffic movement, vandalism and taking the law into one's own hands was not allowed.
He added that there would be no leniency with elements who were involved in criminal activities and such culprits would be dealt with iron hands. He maintained that the capital police is the warrantor of safety of people's lives and properties.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2021.