July 12, 2008	Saturday	Rajab 8, 1429

HYDERABAD, July 11: Perhaps for the first time in the history of universities of Pakistan, the employees of a university -- Sindh Agriculture University -- on Friday held a referendum on “whether the SAU vice-chancellor should continue or be removed from his post.”

Reports said that out of 1,300 employees, 1208 caste votes in the referendum, with 1185 voting against Vice-Chancellor Dr Bashir Shaikh and only 17 in his favour. Six employees did not caste votes.

Hussain Bux Veesar, Karam Punhoon and other leaders of the SAU employees said that the referendum’s result would be sent to the governor and chief minister of Sindh, vice-chancellors of different universities of the country and other officials concerned.

They expressed the hope that Dr Shaikh would be removed from the post of the vice-chancellor.

Journalists tried to meet the vice chancellor to seek his comments but he reportedly refused to talk to them.

INJURED: An elder of Khowaja community was injured by criminals when he resisted a robbery and kidnapping attempt in the Tando Allahyar area on Friday. One of the robbers was caught on the spot and handed over to police.

Mukhi Mohbat Ali Khowaja was going to the local vegetable market on a motorcycle when he was intercepted by three criminals near Khowaja bus stand. The criminals first tried to kidnap him and then to rob him of his motorcycle. He offered resistance and was beaten up by the criminals.

On his hue and cry, people came to his rescue and caught hold of a criminal, Ramzan Rajput, but the other two escaped. Reports said that the Rajput was denuded and severely beaten up by the people, who also tried to set him on fire. However, the police rushed to the spot and saved him from the wrath of the people.

On interrogation, the accused, who is resident of the Latifabad area in Hyderabad, disclosed the names of his accomplices as Khursheed and Rizwan, according to police. Two police teams have been deputed to arrest them.

PROMOTIONS: The DIG Hyderabad Region, Dr Sanaullah Abbasi on Friday issued promotion orders of 36 ASIs to sub-inspectors and 138 head constables to ASIs.

DPO Hyderabad, Dr Najaf Quli Mirza, ADIG Azeem Ghoto and other officers attended the ceremony at Police headquarters.