MULTAN, Oct 11: English department students of the Bahauddin Zakariya University boycotted classes on Monday in protest against the alleged highhandedness of the activists of the students wing of the ruling PML.

Students of English language and literature department left their classrooms, staged a sit-in with placards inscribed with slogans against the 'goons' of Muslim Students Federation and the alleged indifferent attitude of the university authorities.

The protesting students told newsmen that a group of 'goons' was enrolled by former vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry in the departments of Law, International Relations and Mass Communication to forestall increasing influence of right-wing IJT.

Since the previous VC was reportedly a pro-PPP, the 'goons' formed a unit of Peoples Students Federation in the university and later engaged in several violent clashes with IJT activists on the campus and in hostels.

As the present VC, Prof Dr Karamat Ali, adopted a non-aligned course, the rowdy elements recently formed a unit of MSF in the university to get the blessings of the ruling party.

A few days ago, they staged a protest against the sitting VC before state minister for railways Ishaq Khan Khakwani on his first visit to the area after swearing in.

The protesting students, however, alleged that the university administration also did not dare to take action against the 'goons' who had made it a routine to beat up other students without any provocation.

They said that at a Society of Pakistan English Language Teachers function the other day the 'goons' forcibly took seats despite that neither they were students of the English department nor they were invited. They (the alleged goons) started thrashing some of the students who were taking part in the organizational matters of the function.

The protesters said they had brought the matter to the knowledge of BZU director students' affairs and resident officer but none bothered to take action. Some protesting girls' students alleged that the MSF 'goons' sometimes even entered the ladies toilets of the English department.

Under these circumstances how could we concentrate on our studies, a girl student of the applied linguistics said. Eyewitnesses said the MSF people came to the protesting students and pulled down the banner the latter had hoisted at the department to highlight their protest. Later, they set it on fire and subjected the protesters to abusive language.

None of the university teachers or officials however intervened. After this apathetic attitude, we had decided not to come to the university for a week in protest, the protesters informed.

When contacted, it was learnt that the VC was out of town while DSA Prof Dr Rauf had not come from a dinner party till late at night. RO Dr Muhammad Ali disconnected his cell phone when inquired about the English department situation.