LAHORE – An intense clash between students of Islami Jamiat Taliba (IJT) and police was witnessed outside the Punjab University (PU) New Campus’ hostels after what the IJT claims was a protest against insufficient security in the varsity premises. During the protest firing was observed with police and IJT officials blaming each other. IJT activists also threw stones on police.
Sources claim the IJT was actually protesting against the arrest of senior member, Yasir Abbasi, allegedly involved in the PU car theft gang to generate IJT funds. Sources claim Yasir Abbasi is also the son of a senior Jamaat-e-Islami official. Students chanted slogans against PU and police officials and claimed they were unwilling to take serious measures to improve varsity security.
Police claimed stones thrown by students injured a number of policemen. Iqbal Town Superintendent of Police (SP) Romail Akram was also on the the spot. Traffic was jammed on roads adjoining the PU New Campus, especially Canal Bank Road which remained at halt for almost an hour. The traffic jam spilled over to roads going into Faisal Town, Garden Town, Muslim Town and Wahdat Road.
Against vehicle theft?: IJT official denied that the protest was against the arrest of the IJT member and said they were protestomg against the police and university amidst rising vehicle theft on campus. They said the PU Resident Officer had refused to meet them and police were similarly negligent. Member Shura, (advisory council) IJT Awais told Pakistan Today that students were having a dialogue with the police officials when police opened fire. Students only retaliated with stones. He demanded the registration of an FIR against policemen who fired.
However, eye witnesses claimed police wanted dialogue, but the IJT activists rejected it. The 40-50 protesting students dispersed after dialogue with police and traffic was restored. A PU student who had his motorbike stolen in the varsity premises said politics were being played over the vehicle theft issue in the New Campus. He said no one was ready to take responsibily.
