Haripur varsity students thrashed by Balakot drivers

MANSEHRA: Ten students of University of Haripur, who were on a study tour in Shogran area of Balakot, sustained injuries after being thrashed by a group of jeep drivers on Friday.

The injured students were rushed to the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital from where they were referred to the Ayub Medical Complex in Abbottabad.

The students of Forestry and Wildlife departments of the University of Haripur were on a study tour and had hired two jeeps to take them to bus terminal at the end of the journey.

According to the first information report (FIR), one of the drivers threw their luggage to ground despite charging Rs300 extra.

“When we stopped him not to do so but he got infuriated and shouted for help. Dozens of drivers and hoteliers rushed to the spot with sticks and irons.

They started beating us,” Zahidullah, an injured student told reporters at hospital.

He said that 10 students, who sustained serious injuries, were rushed to the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital.   

The Balakot police lodged the FIR and conducted raids to arrests jeep drivers who fled the scene.