RAWALPINDI: Six students from the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi were hospitalised on Thursday, after a dispute between two groups of students resulted in a brawl.

The dispute began on Tuesday when three students – two of which were from the Barani group – were at the canteen when a Saraiki student drew a chair from them leading to a dispute. However, the matter was settled by other students and management.

On Thursday, students from the Barani group came to the canteen at around 3:30pm and attacked the other group.

One of the injured students told Dawn the students were carrying sticks and batons. All six victims were taken to the Benazir Bhutto Hospital. The university’s vice chancellor told Dawn that “whoever is found guilty will be punished”.

When asked why the matter was not settled soon after it emerged, VC Rai Niaz Ali said: “Yesterday an inquiry into the incident was launched and letters were sent to the parents of the students involved in the brawl were written. After today’s incident, the university management is probing the issue with the help of CCTV cameras and witnesses,” he said.

Mr Ali said the students assembling into groups was not allowed by the university, but due to a shortage of space in hostels, students living in private accommodation sometimes organise themselves into groups – such as the Barani council or the Saraiki group.

Sadiqabad Station House Officer Rana Wasim confirmed that there was a minor quarrel between the two student groups at at the university, and said it was taken up by the university, which is taking disciplinary action against the students accused of involvement. He said the police would take legal action if a complaint is lodged by the university’s management.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2016