FAISALABAD, Nov 27: As many as 18 students, including chiefs of two student organizations, were rusticated on Saturday from the University of Agriculture for a period of one to three years.

They were expelled for taking part in political activities, holding 'illegal' gatherings, creating a law and order situation, harassing the fellow students and threatening the university management.

The step had been taken by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bashir Ahmed in the light of recommendations of the Disciplinary Advisory Committee. University Registrar Chaudhry Muhammad Hussain issued the expulsion orders under the Discipline and Conduct Regulation Act 1978 and ordered the students to immediately vacate the hostels.

Islami Jamiat Talba Nazim Akhtar Rasool and Inqalabi Council Chairman Atiqur Rehman have been expelled from the university for three academic years. Similarly, Talaat Mehmood Zahid, Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, Sajid Mehmood Sajid, Usman Safdar, Adnan Khalid, Muhammad Nadeem Irshad, Hamid Nawaz Shah and Usman Bashir have been expelled for two academic years. Likewise, Irfan Nazir, Sahid Ali, Usman Riaz, Hassan Subhani, Muhammad Asif, Abdul Jabbar, Muhammad Yousaf and Yasir Arafat were expelled for one year.

University Registrar Chaudhry Muhammad Hussain in the notification said, "The Disciplinary Advisory Committee of the university in its recommendations made after following the prescribed procedure as laid down under the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Students (Discipline and Conduct) Regulations 1978, found these students involved in various indisciplines and misconduct cases. Accordingly, in view of the above recommendations duly approved by the vice-chancellor, the dean/director concerned, in exercise of the powers conferred upon them under Regulation 4 of the said Regulations, have imposed the penalties upon the students as mentioned against their names. Their entry into the university campus during the penalty period is strictly banned. They are directed to vacate their hostel accommodation immediately. The previous punishment, if any, and the existing penalty awarded to the students, shall run concurrently."

Earlier, a special police team had conducted a midnight operation on Oct 30 at the campus and dislodged 26 students, including the Jamiat Talaba-i-Islam Nazim and Inqalabi Council chairman, along with other office-holders of student bodies after their suspension from the institution.

The university administration had claimed that the step had been taken after a clash between the two student groups. However, the students had denied such reports adding that not a single incident had been brought into the police station or even the university record.