Chemistry lab burned, several injured as PU student groups clash

LAHORE: Punjab University (PU) Electrical Engineering department fell prey to the destruction of property as two student groups clashed over a cultural event early Monday morning in Lahore.

According to reports, several students were injured and a chemistry lab was torched after a fight between two student groups broke out over a cultural event. The student groups attacked one another over preparations for Pioneer festival in the Electrical Engineering department.

The students were seen attacking each other with batons and pelting bricks. They also broke a number of car windows parked in the varsity’s premises. The doors of the varsity were closed for media persons and other unauthorized people after the disturbance.

Meanwhile, members belonging to the Islami Jamiat Taleba (IJT) held a sit-in outside the office of the Punjab University vice-chancellor, demanding action against the Pakhtun and Baloch student groups, alleging that the destruction of the property was done by them.

On the other hand, the Pakhtun and Baloch student groups alleged that the IJT had started the brawl while preparations for the Pioneer Festival were underway.

The police force was called in by the authorities to handle the situation upon worsening of the situation and tear gas was used to disperse the clashing groups.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah took notice of the issue and instructed the police to take necessary action. He stated that the students indulging in the destruction of property would be dealt with according to law and would be charged with disrupting the peace of the university.

The university administration has also stated that strict disciplinary action would be taken and students would be expelled from the university after registering criminal cases against those involved in the clashes.

Later in the day, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Nabila Hakim Ali presented a resolution in the Punjab Assembly condemning the violence in Punjab University and regretted the norm of student clashes present in the varsity.