PU students, guards injured in clash

LAHORE:A clash broke out at Punjab University (PU) New Campus outside the Institute of Education and Research (IER) here Tuesday, resulting in injuries to the university’s students and security guards.

This marks the second on-campus incident during the tenure of newly appointed Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, with on-campus violence emerging as a growing concern among the students, teachers and employees.

A viral video circulating on social media showed PU security guards attacking a student who was peacefully delivering a speech, escalating the situation and leading to a clash between both sides.

A student organisation of various ethnicity groups, organised a protest against the university administration. Their demands included more hostel accommodations and fee concessions for deserving students.

The police also arrived at the scene later and took into custody some students. In response, many students took to social media, condemning the PU administration for what they described as brutal action against peaceful protesters. Another student organisation also criticised the university and expressed support for the protesting students. However, a PU spokesperson claimed that students initiated the attack injuring 10 guards. He said the students used glass bottles, stones, and sticks, causing serious injuries to the guards. On the other hand, students claimed that the confrontation was initiated by the university guards, a point supported by the viral video.

The students also posted images on social media showing their peers with injuries. According to the spokesperson, the trouble began after a student delivered a provocative speech despite prior assurances from student organisations that they would not engage in such actions. When the guards ‘intervened’, they were attacked by the students.

PU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali took strict notice of the incident and condemned the attack on the guards. The VC issued instructions for the best treatment of the injured security guards and directed strict action against students involved in the hooliganism in the light of the eyewitnesses and videos. The spokesman said that some elements were trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the university. Meanwhile, the students called on the governor, in his role as Chancellor of the university, to take immediate notice of the incident and hold those responsible for the violence accountable.