KOHAT: The students of Kohat University of Science and Technology continued their protest for the sixth day on Monday as the varsity management struck off nine students’ leaders for boycotting examinations and disturbing peaceful atmosphere at the campus.

The Muttahida Tulaba Mahaz (MTM), an umbrella organisation of different student unions, had called the protest to press their demands.

It may be recalled that the students had boycotted their final examinations and started demonstrations demanding introduction of summer semester to make up for the failed papers and provision of pick and drop facility.

On the other hand, district police officer Mohammad Sohaib Ashraf has also refused to register cases against the protesting students, saying their demands were genuine. He said he had personally met the presidents of all the student unions and investigated their demands which were justified, therefore, no FIR could be registered or police force used against them.

However, he said the students’ leaders had assured him that they would not block the Indus Highway or cause any damage to the university and observe peaceful strike inside the campus.

It is to mention here that adviser to the chief minister, Amjid Afridi, had also expressed solidarity with the students after ascertaining that their demands for summer semester and pick and drop facility were justified as such facilities were available in other universities.

However, the acting vice chancellor, Dr Fida Younis, has refused to entertain the protesting students.

CEMENT FACTORY BOOKED: The police on Monday registered case against the Kohat Cement Company (KCC) under Sensitive and Vulnerable Establishment and Places Ordinance for ignoring repeated warnings to take foolproof security measures.

Police officials said the KCC didn’t pay any attention to make proper security arrangements, including installation of CCTV cameras, extending height of boundary wall, putting barbed wire on it, deploying armed security guards, fixing floodlights and erecting barriers on the road leading to it.

The SHO of the Bilitang police station registered case against the security in charge of the KCC Maj retired Javed under the ordinance.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2015

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