MINGORA/MARDAN: The University of Swat has expelled five students and rusticated and suspended 15 others for ragging newcomers.

The Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, too, suspended eight students over a similar incident.

A notification issued by the office of the University of Swat’s director (administration) on Sept 24 said at least 20 students of different disciplines had been expelled, rusticated or suspended.

It said the expelled students were found to be involved in ‘staging, participating in and inciting a strike against the administration, inciting violence, disrupting the peaceful atmosphere, and fighting with students’.

The notification said three students were rusticated over misbehaviour, walkouts and disruption of activities, while 12 students were suspended over disruption and misbehavior.

MPA and DDAC chairman Fazal Hakim’s son was among the suspended students, while his nephew was expelled.

The notification reads: “The competent authority under clauses 9, 3 and 11 of the University Disciplines Rules, 2018, has sent the disciplinary cases of the students mentioned below to the university discipline committee for strict action against the main culprits.

“The students are hereby expelled, suspended and rusticated from the roll of the university till the recommendations of the university disciplinary committee. All the heads of departments, campus coordinators and teachers are directed to not allow them in any campus and/or class or field trip and/or transport to the university till further orders.”

Public relations officer of the university Tariq Kamal said the students of different disciplines enrolled in the Sangota campus came to the main campus in Kanju Township in a car rally shouting and teasing the new students.

“They (unruly mob) misbehaved and fought not only with newcomers but also with the teachers of other campuses,” he said.

The PRO said the cases against culpable students had already been sent to the university’s disciplinary committee for further action.

Meanwhile, the administration of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, banned the entry of eight students to campus over the alleged involvement in a ragging incident and suspended their admission.

Head of the university’s media section Dr Attique Khan told Dawn that the suspended students had ragged a new student on campus a few days ago.

He said a committee had been formed to further investigate the matter and produce a report within two days.

Dr Attique said the relevant authority would take a final decision about the incident in light of the inquiry report.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2019