Lahore police on Tuesday arrested at least 24 students from Punjab University (PU) hostels for their alleged involvement in a Sunday night clash between two student groups.

A laboratory was burnt and multiple students were injured after clashes broke out between Baloch and Pakhtun students of the university and the Islami Jamiat Taleba (IJT) as preparations were underway for the annual Pioneers Festival.

While students say the festival is organised by the IJT, PU vice chancellor said the students organise it and no political activity is allowed on campus.

The police is now conducting a search operation at hostels one and seven and have asked all students to vacate the buildings leaving their rooms and cupboards unlocked.

The university administration said police has been allowed to arrest all students involved in the clashes. The M.Phil examinations scheduled for Wednesday will also take place as scheduled.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Haider Ashraf, who is supervising an operation undertaken by a large contingent of policemen, said that legal action against those arrested would follow.

The arrested include many Pakhtun students as well as members of the IJT.

A meeting, chaired by the provincial Higher Education Minister Raza Ali Gillani, decided to file three cases against PU students, including one each against IJT members and Pakhtun students.

The administration had later announced to suspend at least 35 students involved in the recent clashes.