Dozens of Islami Jamiat Taliba (IJT) activists tortured Punjab University (PU)’s sweepers for not allowing them to display their pamphlets on walls on Friday. PU teachers and students alleged that it was a ‘revengeful act’ by the Academic Group (AG), who supervised IJT at PU, on its defeat in syndicate’s elections. An FIR has been registered against IJT activists in Muslim Town Police Station while the PU administration is also planning to launch an operation against illegal IJT activists residing in PU hostels, Pakistan Today has learnt.
According to CCTV footage, Muhammad Akram and Muntazir Mehdi, sweepers, were performing their duty in Department of Mathematics and Statistics, when Tayyab and Faisal of Geology, Kamal Niazi of Chemical Engineering, Behram of Islamic Centre, Khizar of IER and Atif Gujjar, an expelled student, beat them with sticks and iron rods. As a result, Muhammad Akram’s right wrist fractured. The activists also snatched Rs 1800 from the sweepers and their identity cards.
Both the employees were rushed to Jinnah Hospital emergency ward where they were provided medial aid and medico-legal was obtained. After the incident, the administration filed the application for lodging FIR with the police station demanding an early action against the culprits for torturing PU employees on duty. PU faculty was seen condemning the AG for supervising IJT and stimulating them for torture. According o PU teachers, it was a reaction from the AG teachers, who were defeated in the recent syndicate’s elections and feared that the PU administration would start a legal action against them on charges of corruption, torture and extremism.
According to an administrative official of the varsity, these IJT activists after beating the employees were found at PU Jamia Mosque where their teachers were also present. He said that these Pro JI teachers were ‘cruel’ and acted against the teachings of Islam. He said that it was ‘shameful’ that AG was using religion for corruptions. PU’s spokesperson, in a high-level meeting with the police officials, said that it has been decided that law-violators would be dealt with iron hands. Moreover, the administration was also considering other facts behind the recent incidents, he said.
