October 17, 2008	Friday	Shawwal 17, 1429

PESHAWAR, Oct 16: Expressing concern over the movement of armed-masked men in vehicles on the campus, the Peshawar University Teachers Association (Puta) has sought security from the provincial government.

“If miscreants can burn and bomb schools and colleges in Swat, they can do here the same, it is a major problem and we should do something about it,” said a senior faculty members of University of Peshawar (UoP), during the Puta general body meeting, here on Thursday.

The general body decided to form a vigilance committee, comprising teachers’ representatives and the police to check movements of unwanted persons. They demanded installation of security cameras at the main gates of the university in this regard.

President Puta Dr Arbab Khan Afridi, in a news briefing after the general body session, told the media that armed men in three vehicles had been visiting the campus and the police reportedly kept mum about it and did nothing to stop them.

“We fear that if the law and order situation deteriorated due to such elements, then the university could be closed,” said Dr Afridi, adding that anything that was happening outside was also happening inside the campus and teachers were concerned that peace on the campus could be disturbed.

The Puta president said: “There are about 400 policemen and a campus police station, but they are not capable to ensure security on the campus. Whoever is old and useless in the police force is deputed at the UoP campus.”

Dr Afridi said that there should be about 100 policemen but well-trained and well-equipped to provide security on the campus. “There are girls and boys colleges and hostels. God forbid, if any of the armed men captured any of these hostels, a Jamia Hafsa-like situation can arise,” Dr Afridi said while expressing fear of the teachers’ community.

He said the Puta general body also discussed some other serious issues including shortage of houses for the faculty on the campus. The National Logistic Cell (NLC) had started construction of about 100 houses in 2005 which were to be completed by March 2006, but only 45 houses had been constructed so far.

“About 150 out of 550 teachers are on the waiting list for house allotment for almost a decade,” said Dr Afridi. He also criticised the allotment of houses to the three university employees on the directives of NWFP chief minister and vice-chancellor. “One professor of the Area Study Centre was allotted house whereas he was not entitled for it,” he added.

Dr Afridi said that the general body also demanded that portfolio of chancellor and governor, which is given to the same person, should be separated.