ISLAMABAD: As many as 10 more students of the Islamic International University Islamabad (IIUI) were expelled for their alleged involvement in a fight that took place between two student groups earlier this month.

The IIUI Students Disciplinary Committee (SDC) that took the decision had earlier expelled 15 students.

A six-member probe committee of the IIUI headed by Director General Prof Dr Abdul Rashid, in its report, revealed that there was no guard present at the hostel’s gate when students were collecting batons.

It further stated that no preventive actions were taken by the office concerned to engage students in dialogue before the incident took place. When contacted, IIUI spokesperson Nasir Farid confirmed to Dawn that 10 more students were rusticated.

Upon being asked why action was not taken against university officials, whose negligence led to the fight accelerating, he said: “In light of the inquiry report you are referring to, surely the university will take action against those responsible.”

He said IIUI will look into the incident, adding that, “we never promote any student group rather we have been taking action against all students irrelevant of their affiliation with a group.

“Instead of being criticised, the IIUI management should be appreciated for taking action against students and it will soon be taken against officials of the security directorate,” he added.

One of the capital’s largest universities with over 30,000 students, IIUI is no stranger to on-campus violence. It must be noted that a student was killed in a deadly clash between rival groups in 2019.

Although the ban on students’ organisations was notified by the university in August 2021, sources said violence on the university premises had continued unabated and the administration failed to take corrective measures, which led to the latest incident between students affiliated with the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba (IJT) and the Pakhtun Council.

According to students of the council, they were taking part in a peace march which was attacked by IJT but the IJT has been claiming that they did not start the clash, rather they retaliated. Out of total 25, as per sources, majority of the rusticated students belong to IJT.

“The SDC rusticated students based on evidence. However, students have every right to file appeal before the president of IIUI against their rustication,” the university spokesperson said, adding students who were rusticated last week have already filed an appeal.

A faculty member of the IIUI, wishing not to be named, appreciated the management for rusticating students, whose actions had caused fear and panic among all students of the university. However, he said besides students, action should be taken against all those whose negligence resulted in the growth of student groups on campus.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2022