Case filed against Punjab University students involved in violent clashes

Punjab Police on Wednesday registered a case against ‘unidentified students’ of Punjab University for violence on campus, a day after the clash broke out between rival students’ groups.

At least 10 students were injured when activists of the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba (IJT) clashed with students organising a Pakhtun cultural event at the Punjab University on Tuesday.

The severity of the clash could be gauged from the intervention of a heavy contingent of police who fired tear gas shells to disperse the violent students.

A First Information Report (FIR), obtained by Dawn.com, has been registered against the students at Muslim Town police station in Lahore. No student was named in the FIR.

Police had received a tip regarding severe clashes breaking out between rival student groups, the FIR stated.

Describing the scene of Tuesday’s clash witnessed upon arrival, the police official said that “around 150 to 200 students were attacking each other with sticks and batons and chanting abusive slogans.”

“As the police officials attempted to intervene, the students also attacked the police with batons,” the FIR said.

The report further said that those involved in the clashes will be identified through CCTV footage.

The case has been registered under Sections 427 (mischief causing damage), 147/148 (riot with armed weapons) and 353/186 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Source: Dawn