DERA GHAZI KHAN, Oct 30: Police baton-charged and injured the students of the Technology College and arrested scores of them inside the institute where they had gathered to call on the district coordination officer to demand reduction in fees, on Thursday.

The students, who have been continually protesting increase in fees by the DCO since September, took out a procession on Wednesday to press the college administration to reduce the fees. They dispersed peacefully when ASP Tahir Aalim assured them that the DCO would meet their representatives on Oct 30 (Thursday).

Unyielding and agitated, a large number of students boycotted their classes again on Thursday and boarded three buses to go for demonstration. However, heavy police contingent, headed by DSP Maqbool Kamboh, entered the college and baton-charged and tear-gased the students to control them.

Reacting to it, the students broke panes of the classrooms and pelted stones on the policemen. According to the DSP, the Saddar police station SHO was injured during the clash.

The police arrested the students and drivers of the three buses, which were impounded.

When contacted, the college principal told this correspondent that the police did not get permission from him of entering the college and taking action against the students.

Some of the injured students in lock-ups of the Saddar police station said they wanted to meet the DCO to discuss the issue, but the police stopped them from moving towards his office.

Later, the Saddar police station registered two cases against 250 students, including 22 nominated. The cases were registered under sections 379, 427, 506 and 353, 149, 148 PPC and 16 MPO.

Meanwhile, the DCO announced that the college would remain closed for two days in the wake of protest and unrest.