GUJRAT: The Higher Education Department (HED) has removed the acting principal of the Govt Zamindar College, Gujrat, over an alleged tussle between the college’s academic and clerical staff with that of the violent group of students being backed by the college administration.

The order for removal of Khizar Hayat Bosal from the post of acting principal appeared in a notification, issued by the Higher Education Department (HED) secretary on Thursday. According to the notification, Ghulam Abbas, the associate professor of English, had been entrusted with the additional charge of the post of principal. The notification said the new acting principal had also been declared as DDO of the post of principal of the said college for the period of six months or till the arrival of the regular incumbent.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Dr Khurram Shahzad told Dawn he had talked to the director colleges Gujranwala and authorities in the HED over the telephone and discussed with them the issues related to the Zamindar College. During the conversation, he said, the director told him the HED had already decided to remove the acting principal.

Another source said the process for the appointment of a regular principal of the college had already been initiated by the HED and some interviews were also conducted but the authorities had not yet reached any conclusion.

The college staff had been on strike against the administration for the last couple of days and there were no academic activities on Thursday due to the boycott by the teaching staff that had announced to continue the boycott until the removal of the acting principal.

The removed acting principal, Khizar Hayat Bosal, submitted a complaint with the Civil Lines police against some college teachers for registration of a criminal case.

The protesting teachers and other clerical staff called on the DC on Thursday and apprised him of the situation and the prevailing tension among the administration, students, teaching and clerical staff.

The sources said the delegation of teachers also shared some evidence with the DC regarding the alleged misconduct by the acting principal.

On the other hand, Mr Bosal also held a separate meeting with the DC to seek the district administration’s help in legal action against the academic and clerical staff for not complying with the college administration’s orders.

It is learnt the HED has removed Mr Bosal from the acting principal charge after the local administration as well as the law enforcement agencies gave it briefings.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2019