LAHORE, Pakistan: Students of various Private Educational Institutions continued their protest on Tuesday in various Cities of Punjab to press their demand for the physical exam; however as the situation turned violent, one student was killed in the unrest while seven reportedly sustained injuries.
Reportedly a student named Shah Jahan died when students’ protest resulted in violent clashes between the students and guards of a Private Educational Institution in Lahore.
Students of the University of Management & Technology (UMT), the University of Central Punjab (UCP), and the University of Lahore again held a strong protest outside the Premises of their respective Institutions in Lahore today.
The media reports said that students of the UCP were registering a peaceful protest today but in the meantime, the guards pelted stones and bottles on them, and also baton-charged them.
Subsequently, students reciprocated and stormed the building by breaking down the gates. They also set the University’s property on fire.
The police personnel also reached the protesting site; however, it added fuel to the unrest as they also dealt with the protesting students aggressively which further deteriorated the situation.
UCP guards beating the student who is now in ICU. We condemn this violence by UCP and demand action against UCP administration. #StudentsRejectPhysicalExams #RestoreStudentUnions pic.twitter.com/Gls9FaLBGh
— Progressive Students’ Collective (@PSCollective_) January 26, 2021
Earlier on Monday, a student Zubair Siddiqui of the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) also suffered severe injuries when clashes broke out, and taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Reports said that by now, seven students have suffered injuries in clashes.
Some university students are demanding that their exams should be online as they have been studying online. This is a decision for the universities to make but I have asked HEC to consult VCs and see if it is possible given special circumstances this year. 1/2
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 25, 2021
2/2 Universities should also asses whether they have the technical ability to conduct exam for ALL students. No one can be left behind. It is also necessary to ensure that online exam system is not misused to get easy grades. Preparing good question papers/ assessment is imp
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 25, 2021
I talked to Federal Minister and we agreed to request HEC to give clear directions to all public and private universities regarding examination policy. Also, want to clarify that giving policy guidelines to universities is the mandate of HEC which is an autonomous entity.
— Raja Yassir Humayun Sarfraz (@RajaYassirPTI) January 27, 2021
Meanwhile, students also registered their strong protest in Multan and Faisalabad on Tuesday, demanding the holding of the physical exam instead of the online exam.
Punjab police have baton charged on students of NFC Faislabad who were protesting against in-person exams. This is another instance of punjab police acting as a mafia. #StudentsKoInsafDo pic.twitter.com/wWjqzvxpkq
— Progressive Students’ Collective (@PSCollective_) January 26, 2021
