LAHORE: The activists of Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) on Monday staged a protest demonstration against the Punjab Police at Bhekewal Chowk.
The activists, including female students, on the occasion chanted slogan against the inefficiency of the police, saying that they won’t tolerate the department facilitate and protect hooligans in the university. They demanded immediate registrations of FIRs against the culprits of March 21 carnage, in which at least 18 students were left wounded due to a clash between two rival student groups, prompting authorities to call in police to help control the situation.
It is pertinent to mention that Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah had put the responsibility of the clash on IJT activists. He said that 18 out of 22 arrested students involved in brawl belonged to the IJT.
The IJT, on the other hand, said its camp first came under attack by the rival group.
Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and summoned a report. The chief minister had stressed that action would be taken against those responsible and no one was above the law.
“We are peaceful people but the authorities are compelling us to take matters in our own hands,” said one the protesting students while talking to Daily Times. “If our rightful demands are not met, we would be left with no other option but to widen the scope of our protest.”
The IJT activists urged the chief minister to keep a vigilant eye on the workings of Punjab Police, saying that they won’t compromise on the “discriminatory attitude of the department”.
Those who were subjected to torture on March 21 were also present on the occasion.