The worst ever torture incident of the Punjab University (PU) took place on Wednesday when around a dozen of Islami Jamiat Taliba (IJT) activists tortured a student, Muhammad Usman, with iron rods and sticks. IJT activists first beat Usman on sitting with a female class fellow and then kidnapped and locked him up in a PU hostel, where he was further tortured. Later, he was shifted to Jinnah Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
According to an eyewitness, Hailey College IJT Nazim Wajid misbehaved with Usman who was sitting with his female class fellow in front of the varsity’s Main Library. Usman retaliated to his words and a tussle started. The IJT nazim called his party fellows, carried Usman to boys’ hostel No 15, and tortured him there again.
PU Resident Officer Javaid Sami said that when the torture incident came in the knowledge of the varsity administration they sent security guards to the rescue but no one was present on the venue. He said he was told that IJT activists from Hailey College of Commerce and University Law College were involve in the incident. PU Assistant Security Officer Muhammad Shaukat confirmed that an incident of torture has taken place in the premises of PU.
A security personnel, on anonymity, said that IJT activists tortured students in front of the security guards but security guards were ‘helpless against IJT’s hooliganism’. He said that even Chief Security Officer (CSO) Maj Arif, who was hired by the varsity to control crimes at the campus failed to stop such activities. He said that all the PU high-ups knew about the incident but they were ‘preferring to remain silent’.
He said that IJT activists were involved in criminal activities and kept ammunition in hostels. He said that there was a need of a police operation in varsity hostels.
He said that PU VC who was claiming that he was doing best for the students had also failed and now CM Punjab should take action over this incident.
IJT Secretary General Muhammad Amir denied the allegations and said it was a clash between two students of Hailey College and the incident had nothing to do with IJT. However, a member of IJT, on anonymity, confirmed IJT’s involvement in the incident.
On the other hand, students condemned the varsity administration for not controlling the hooliganism of IJT in the campus. Many denied the statement of IJT secretary general and said that IJT had formed a ‘mafia’ in the campus. Students demanded PU VC launch police operation in hostels to root such elements out of the varsity.
