LAHORE: Amid confusion within official circles over the alleged incident that sparked a student protest at a private educational institution, police on Monday moved brutally to disperse young demonstrators in the Gulberg area, leaving at least 28 injured.

However, various government functionaries seemed to be at odds over whether the alleged rape of a young female student, which prompted the protest, had actually happened or not.

While Punjab government spokesperson Azma Bukhari and police officials seemed adamant that no such incident had taken place, the provincial education minister supported the students and called for action against the college administration if their allegations were found to be true.

The Directorate of Public Instruction (Colleges), Punjab has also suspended the registration of the Punjab College for Women “till further orders”, according to a notification issued on Monday.

Conflicting accounts emerge as officials, college admin deny alleged rape; CM forms probe body

The protests that spiraled into violence were triggered by reports that a female student had been allegedly raped by a security guard. Police claimed that they had the suspect in custody, but he had denied the allegation during investigation.

Tensions mounted shortly after college officials and a DSP issued warnings to the students, saying that they would be dealt with ‘strictly’ if they did not suspend their agitation.

Videos showed anti-riot police and other police personnel chasing and thrashing students, who were said to be arguing with officials inside the college premises.

The students maintained that the administration, in an attempt to cover up the incident, had deleted the recordings of cameras installed in and around the campus.

When police were called in to manage the situation, they charged the demonstrators, who rushed outside the building. Police personnel gave chase, baton charging and thrashed the young protesters mercilessly.

Many students rushed for shelter in nearby shopping plazas and residences, but police chased them down, injuring several of them.

Students and their parents condemned the use of force by police, saying that the demonstrators were demanding an impartial inquiry into the alleged rape incident.

The college campus turned into a battlefield when more students from other nearby institutes also joined the protest.

The protesting students were adamant that a young girl had allegedly been raped, and accused the college principal of trying to conceal the facts.

On the other hand, a statement issued by the Punjab Group of Colleges maintained that no incident of rape was reported, blaming “false claims circulating on social media” for the events that transpired on Monday.

It said the college remained “committed to transparency despite the lack of credible evidence supporting the allegations.”

“We have implemented strict security protocols to ensure a safe and secure environment,” it added.

In another statement, the principal of the college campus in question said that legal action would be taken against those indulging in “unsubstantiated negative propaganda” on social media.

Probe committee

The Punjab government has also formed a “high-powered” committee to probe the incident.

A notification issued by the CM Office said the chief secretary would head the committee, which also included the advocate general and secretaries of home, higher education, special education, and healthcare departments.

The body will submit its report to the chief minister within 48 hours.

Official denials

Lahore DIG Operations Faisal Kamran told reporters that the some elements had deliberately tried to fuel to fire by sharing controversial posts on social media regarding the alleged rape of a college student.

He claimed police acted professionally and took the suspected security guard into custody, but he rejected the allegations during interrogation.

During an inquiry, police teams examined the cameras of the private college, as well as recordings from nearby buildings, but the alleged victim could not be traced.

DIG Kamran said that police had approached the father of a female student who students had pointed out as being the victim, who had died in hospital.

However, the girl’s father rejected the reports, saying that his daughter had died of health complications at a local hospital after being on a ventilator for around a week, the DIG said, quoting the girl’s father.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also claimed that no incident of rape had been reported to police so far.

She said that after an alleged victim was pointed out to authorities on Monday, inquiries were made at the homes of all girls with that name, but all the families denied that any such thing had happened.

Later, ASP Shehrbano Naqvi made a video statement alongside two men said to be relatives of the alleged victim, who also denied that any such incident occurred.

However, Punjab minister for Higher and School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat visited the college on Monday where he met with the protesting students and assured them of justice.

“Action will be taken against the principal and the college administration if allegations related to the deletion of pictures and video evidence were proved,” he said.

He added that his department would not hesitate to seal the college and cancel its registration, if the charges were proven.

Mr Hayat also stopped police from using force against the students. Footage of him standing amidst the charged crowd, warning policemen not to attack the protesters also circulated on social media.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2024