At least eight students sustained injuries in a fight that broke out between two student groups on the main campus of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).
A peace march organised by the United Students Front (USF) was allegedly disrupted by members of Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), which resulted in a brawl that witnessed students punching, kicking and pushing each other while chanting slogans.
The Pashtun Students Council, which is part of the USF, laid the blame for the clash on the IJT.
On the other hand, IJT representative Usman Ghani claimed that the incident was a premeditated move by the USF as they had shown up in the university armed with hammers.
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Referring to a similar incident that occurred in 2019 and the resultant death of an IJT member, Ghani said that the same security officer who was present at the time was there on Monday, implying connivance between the said official and the USF.
Police eventually reached the site and brought the situation under control.
Meanwhile, IIUI spokesman Nasir Farid termed the clash between the student organisations ‘unfortunate’
"We'll ensure that action is taken against the students who were involved in the fight,” he said, adding that the university would not tolerate any disturbance on the campus.
“The top management of the university has taken stern notice of the incident and brought the situation under control in collaboration with the district administration,” said Farid.
He added that the administration has tasked the students' discipline committee to submit a report about the incident at the earliest.
He said that the IIUI was dedicated to the promotion of peace and security and no incidents of violence will be tolerated on the university campus.
“Those involved in disrupting peace will be justly punished,” he claimed.
The spokesperson said that academic activities in the university will resume on Tuesday (today) and continue as usual.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2022.
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