LAHORE: Ten students were injured in a violent clash between two groups of students at the Punjab University (PU) in the wee hours on Thursday.

The clash erupted between the members of the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), Baloch and Pashtun councils, who had earlier gathered outside the Law College on the New Campus allegedly over some personal issues.

One of the eyewitnesses said five to six students of Baloch Students Council were sitting outside the Law College on Wednesday when an IJT activist approached them and exchanged harsh words with them over some issue. The Baloch council members took hold of the IJT activist at which seven to eight IJT activists standing in the ground attacked them.

Police and PU administration reached there and dispersed the quarrelling students.

Later, around 3am in the night, the students from both the groups attacked each other with stones, clubs and sticks. As a result, 10 of the students were injured and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where they were said to be stable.

Police also registered cases under terrorism charges against the activists of both student groups for disturbing the educational activities and creating law and order situation on the campus.

The FIR, a copy available with Dawn, states that IJT activists, Ibad Bhatti, Ibtisaam Ilahi, Faizur Rehman, Zain Sarfraz, Ahsan Fareed, Rai Mahbob, Dawar Yousuf, Arslan Manj, Babar Baloch, Rana Waseem, Saqib Zaman, Mujtaba Tarar and Mazhar Zaid and Baloch, and Pashtun activists, Saifullah Wazir, Wali Khan Ziyarat Wal, Obaid Khan and Tariq Khan, clashed with each other over some issue.

Police arrested Wali Khan Ziarat Wal, Sajjad Khan Yousafzai, Saifullah Wazir, Nasrullah, Abdul Ghani, Muhammad Anis, Ilyas, Obaidullah, Tariq Abdul Manan, Ishfaq, Ali Raza, Waseem Sajjad, Naseeruddin, Wajahat, Shakir, Abdullah, Asmatullah and Tanvir.

PU spokesperson Khurrum Shehzad told Dawn 12 of the students involved in the clash were suspended from taking classes and that the administration would take further disciplinary action after holding an inquiry into the matter. He said the cause behind the clash was unclear but the administration was trying to resolve the issue peacefully. He appealed to the students to maintain harmony on the campus.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.