LAHORE: (Tuesday, January 23, 2018): Over 100 students were arrested and 37 suspended from the rolls of the university in the wake of recent clashes between activists of Islamia Jammiat Tulaba (IJT), Baloch and Pakhtun student activists in Punjab University new campus  here on Tuesday.

According to police sources some 20 jawans of riot police were injured who were on campus for the last two days to control the situation. The latest fight took place near hostel no. 1. The day witnessed  fear and panic among students and their parents with baton-wielding groups of student activists who were seen roaming around various department and hostels of the campus.

The university administration has suspended 37 students who were allegedly involved in the incidents causing law and order situation on the campus under disciplinary proceedings. These students were mostly Balochs and Pashtuns according to the sources. The data of Baloch students was collected from all hostels of the university through the office of the Chairman Hall Council. Later, letters were sent to respective teaching departments with a directive to suspend the students while mentioning their names.  Obeying the orders of the Registrar Office, the teaching departments suspended collectively some 37 students in a haste and compliance letters were sent to the Registrar office.

When contacted a hostel clerk told The Educationist that he was asked to provide data of Baloch students. when further probed, whether date relating to IJT activists was also collected through them, he said, “no, only Baloch students data was collected through the hall council officials.”

Meanwhile, Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zakriya Zakir has chaired a high level meeting of all heads of departments at Al Raazi Hall here on Tuesday. Deans of various faculties and a large number of heads of departments participated in the meeting. The teachers expressed the resolve to adopt zero tolerance policy against vandalism and vowed that nobody would be allowed to take law into hands.

The meeting decided to take action against the culprits involved in the incident across the board. The meeting decided to prepare centralized database system so that any culprit who is found in any incident of violence could be identified with accurate information.

The meeting decided to admit students on Balochistan’s reserved quota through nominations from Government of Balochistan. The meeting also decided to improve attendance system through biometric devices and implement biometric system in letter and spirit in the hostels.

The meeting also discussed to begin E-lane system at the entry points of the university. In a press statement, the university spokesman said that as many as 37 students had been suspended who were initially found involved in the incident and disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against them.