MANSEHRA, April 22: A former principal of Lawrence College, Murree, on Monday said the Supreme Court had asked him to produce a report about his forced resignation.

“I have been asked by the court’s human rights cell to submit a report about the entire episode within 15 days. I will comply with the orders to bring truth to the court’s notice,” Brigadier (r) Abdul Hafiz told Dawn here.

Brigadier (r) Hafiz, who belongs to Mansehra, was reportedly forced by the chairman of Lawrence College, Murree’s executive committee to resign after he implemented a decision of the college’s disciplinary committee to suspend O-Level student Qasim Gardezi for torturing another.

The issue came to light when the college’s teachers and students resisted the principal’s forced resignation. However, Brigadier (r) Hafiz left the office after calming down teachers and students.

According to the reports, Qasim Gardezi had hit another student by a hockey stick on March 13.

On March 29, the college’s disciplinary committee suspended the student and the principal stood by the committee, a move that led to his forced resignation.

The court took notice of the matter on the basis of media reports.

Brigadier (r) Hafiz said he still believed that he had taken the right decision to uphold the suspension of influential student Qasim Gardezi over torture of a colleague.

“I stood by the decision of the disciplinary committee, which consisted of eight senior members of college, including the acting principal, and refused to let a military team reinvestigate the matter. That forced me into resigning,” he said.

The ex-principal said he would comply with the court orders and submit a comprehensive report on the matter within the stipulated time.

ROBBERS HELD: Mansehra police on Monday said they had arrested two robbers, including a woman, and seized stolen goods and cash.

Mansehra deputy superintendent of police Sardar Khan told reporters here that the arrested robbers were involved in robberies across Hazara and that their accomplices would be arrested soon.

He said the two robbers, Mohammad Saleem and Zahida, were arrested on a tip-off.

“We are close to the arrest of other members of the gang and they all will be in our custody soon,” he said.

The DSP said the two had deprived Talah Mohammad last week of cash, gold ornaments, mobile phones and laptop.