FAISALABAD: A student of the Government College for Women, Karkhana Bazaar, died at the district headquarters hospital here on Sunday night, allegedly after taking medicine given to her by the college dispensary staff on Wednesday last, when she complained of headache.

However, Principal Dr Tayyaba Shaheen, denied the deceased, Ujala Javeed, a BS-Mass Communication student, took the medicine from the college dispensary. She also denied any delay in the shifting of the student to the hospital as being alleged by some of her fellow students.

She said Ujala was suffering from acute depression after the death of her father about a month ago who was the sole breadwinner of the family.

Following her death, Ujala’s relatives and her fellow students staged a protest demonstration on Sheikhupura Road and threw traffic out of gear for more than one hour.

Talking to reporters, the protesters said Ujala was attending a class when she complained of headache and went to the college dispensary. They alleged that her condition deteriorated after she took a tablet given to her by the dispensary staff. Soon after consuming the tablet she fell unconscious, they added.

They also alleged when the principal was informed of Ujala’s condition, she refused to allow her a half-day leave saying the student was feigning illness. However, some of her class fellows called Rescue 1122 ambulance that shifted her to hospital.

They alleged the delay in shifting the student to hospital worsened her condition, resulting in her death later.

Ujala’s cousin Khurram Shahzad told Dawn that they were informed about the tablet she took at the college by her fellow students. He insisted that mishandling of the case by the college dispensary staff resulted in Ujala’s death.

He said that Ujala’s father, a sweeper at Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) had passed away about a month ago.

Victim Blast: A 10-year-old boy lost his right hand and leg in a hand grenade explosion here on Sunday in Akbar Town.

Punjab Medical College Principal Dr Zafar Fareed told Dawn that Faisal suffered critical injuries to his right leg and it had to be amputated to save his life as his major vessels were bleeding. “The boy is critical”.

Meanwhile, Mansoorabad police registered a case against an unidentified man under section 4/5 of the Explosive Act with no arrest. The case was registered on the complaint of Mohammad Nadeem, father of Faisal.

The complainant said his son along with his two friends - Anwar (14) and Azwar (19) - had gone to the canal for fishing near Kashmir Bridge. Faisal found a small grenade and brought it home. Nadeem said he tried to break the grenade with the help of a brick when it exploded.

Police said investigation into the issue is under way.

SP Ali Waseem, who is holding the acting charge of Madina Town police, said the boy lost his right hand and leg and “he is critical.”

Published in Dawn January 24th, 2017