LUMHS security step deprives villagers of access to road

Varsity says provided alternative route to locals; boundary wall meant to protect hostel residents

HYDERABAD:

The residents of some villages located close to Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, have blamed the varsity's Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ikram Din Ujjan for blocking passage of road towards their villages, citing security reasons.

At a press conference at Hyderabad Press Club Ali Mardan Jamali, Paban Khoso, Naveed Buledi and others claimed that their villages Misri Khoso and Yousuf Khoso predated the establishment of LUMHS.

They also claimed that the education of around 300 children and youth from their villages is going to be affected due to denying the road access. They alleged that the university has erected a boundary wall taking the road inside and has installed a gate.

Jamali and Khoso blamed the police for launching a crackdown on their village on the instigation of the VC. They said, they have also been booked in fake FIRs. They urged Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to take notice of the situation.

Meanwhile, media coordinator of LUMHS Dr Saroof Bhatia clarified that the university has provided a proper route on four acres of land to the residents of the two villages which are located behind the campus. "The step became essential to ensure security for the local and foreign male and female students residing in the hostels [along the former access road]."

Dr Bhatia claimed that the new route in question has been used by the residents of those villages for the last three years. "Now some residents of these villages are trying to provoke people to protest for the old route." He said the entire campus has already been secured with a boundary wall in view of the security issues.

Dr Bhatia said the university will not compromise the security of its students, faculty and other staff at any cost. "It is not possible to provide a allow villages pass through the campus, as previously several crime incidents including snatching of phones and laptops from the students, specifically from females, have occurred." He told that the law enforcement agencies have been requested to provide security to the campus and its hospital.