LAHORE: Four persons were injured on Thursday when a clash erupted between two student groups at Punjab University’s New Campus, who had allegedly met to resolve a previous issue involving a fight between their members.

As per varsity sources, the Baloch Council activists were sitting outside the Sociology Department when Islami Jamiat Tulaba (IJT) students approached there to discuss a clash between some members of the groups.

The sources said the clash had occurred on Wednesday when some IJT activists had thrashed a Baloch Council member, Gulab Khan, for sitting ‘intimately’ with one of his female classmates on the campus.

During the meeting, some of the activists from both sides went into an argument and attacked each other with wooden sticks.

Baloch Council Chairman Zain Khosa confirmed the meeting between the two groups was aimed at resolving Wednesday’s issue.

He said the IJT activists who had thrashed Gulab Khan were also present in the meeting and a clash erupted after the two sides exchanged words over the issue. He said three of the Baloch Council members — Gulab Khan, Zakir and Shahzad — were injured in the recent clash.

On the other hand, IJT spokesperson Shahbaz claimed they were called by Baloch Council activists for a dialogue but were attacked. He said one of their fellows, Sharjeel, was severely injured in the attack.

He demanded the PU administration to take action against the Baloch Council for “ruining the peaceful environment on the campus”.

Meanwhile, a PU spokesman said the administration would take strict action under the law against the culprits involved in the clash.

In a press statement, he said the two student groups had gathered to reconcile a minor dispute. However, he said, a quarrel erupted and the security staff intervened instantly to avoid any untoward incident.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2021