Villagers blame varsity of blocking right of way

The residents of some villages located close to Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, have blamed the varsity's vice chancellor for blocking passage of road towards their villages, citing security reasons. At a press conference at Hyderabad press club on Sunday 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. According to them, the university has erected a wall and a gate on the road.

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

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. 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 staff at any cost. "It isn't possible to provide a way to the villages passing through the campus, as previously several crime incidents including snatching of phones and laptops from the students, specifically from females, have occurred."

Protest

Hundreds of faculty members, officers and students of LUMHS held a protest on Tuesday at the campus to denounce the repeated pressure and alleged intimidation tactics of the villagers in the face of alleged indifference of the local authorities.

The wall's construction was prompted by recurrent incidents of robberies, vehicle lifting, theft and snatching of mobile phones, laptops and other valuable articles mainly from the students. President Teachers Association Prof Dr Rasool Bux Behan asserted that LUMHS in no way can compromise the campus security of our students and employees at any cost.