LAHORE: The Punjab University has decided in principle to expel some 30 students involved in last Tuesday’s violence on the campus.

It has also requested police to stay on the campus till the peaceful atmosphere is fully restored.

The varsity has taken the decision in the light of an inquiry into the clash between the students associated with three organisations - Islami Jamiat Tulba, Baloch Council and Pakhtun Educational Development Movement - that left at least 15 students injured.

Read: 15 injured in student groups’ clash at PU hostel

The clash erupted on the issue of playing music on high volume in Hostel No.4. The Baloch Council which has joined hands with Pakhtoon Educational Development Movement alleged that IJT activists ‘attacked’ them over the matter while the latter insisted that the Baloch and Pakhtoon students had a fight and its (IJT) members were unnecessarily dragged into it.

The varsity has identified the students involved in the clash through CCTV footage and determined their punishment accordingly. The footage also exposed police role as a ‘silent spectator.’

“The varsity has decided to expel some 30 students. Most of them belong to the IJT and others to Baloch Council and Pakhtun Educational Development Movement,” PU spokesman Khurram Shahzad told Dawn on Thursday.

He said the CCTV footage showed a student of Institute of Geology, Sohaib Khan, carrying a pistol.

On the other hand, Muslim Town police have registered FIR against more than 200 PU students under sections 148, 149, 324, 506-B of PPC and section-7 of ATA.

Some 15 students have been nominated in the FIR.

“We have arrested one nominated suspect, Saim, while raids are being conducted to nab the remaining 14,” Muslim Town SHO Khurshid Ahmed told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2016