After the Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA) announced boycotting the ongoing intermediate exams in protest of the on-campus death of a college principal, the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) on Monday had to postpone the annual exam of arts and commerce (private and regular) scheduled for today (Tuesday).
The science practical assessment scheduled for July 5 was also postponed while the new date for the postponed theory and practical exams announced was July 12. Besides, the BIEK also changed the Government Degree College Gadap exam centre and declared the Baqai Medical College as the new centre.
BIEK Chairman Anwar Ahmed Zai also wrote a letter to the Home Secretary on Monday for ensuring security of teachers and students at exam centres after the principal of Government Degree College Gadap, Prof Barkat Bhatti, died of cardiac arrest during a clash in the college premises on Saturday.
In the letter, the BIEK chairman informed the Home Secretary about the tragic incident and that letters had also been previously sent to the Home Department and the Capital City Police Officer for deployment of law enforcers at exam centres. hOwever, no action was taken in this regard.
Meanwhile, members of SPLA contacted the BIEK officials to discuss the matter. Zai ensured them that BIEK had briefed the Home and Education departments on the incident and the authorities concerned would take serious action against the accused.
SPLA has convened a meeting on Tuesday (today) to discuss the issue with the teachers’ community as the three accused youngsters arrested on Sunday in the manhandling of principal were bailed out on the same day. However, the judge had directed the suspects to appear in the court on August 3 for further proceedings. The police was directed to submit the case challan within 14 days to a Malir court judge.
The Gadap police had arrested Ashan Ali, Khalil Ahmed and Sanaullah for rioting at the Government Degree College Gadap premises. The youngsters were accused of thrashing the late principal’s son-in-law and nephew inside the college. A case (FIR No 165) was registered against the suspects on behalf of the state under sections 147, 148, 149, 667 (A) and 504 of the Pakistan Penal Code. According to the police, around six to seven youngsters are still at large.
Prof Bhatti had died of a heart attack when he was manhandled by a group of students during the practical examination 2011 on Saturday evening. He had fallen to the ground after being pushed by unruly students and lost consciousness.
The college staff took him to a nearby hospital near Super Highway but the doctors referred him be taken to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD); however, on his arrival at the NICVD, the doctors pronounced Bhatti dead.
