KARACHI, June 10: The Karachi University administration called law-enforcement personnel, on Monday, to disperse what it said was a small procession of employees trying to enter the vice- chancellor’s office.

KU sources said that a group of non-teaching employees perturbed over certain administrative decisions pertaining to the sacking and demotion of about a dozen employees, including the gardener, watch and ward and clerical staff, went to see the VC and apprise him about the sentiments of the staff, but were not allowed to express themselves.

The delegation of staff, led by the employees’ welfare association and which remained peaceful, were finally told through the administrative staff and law-enforcement agencies’ personnel to disperse as the VC was unwilling to talk to them, added the source.

A spokesman said that the office-bearers of the employees’ welfare association wanted to press their illegitimate and unethical demands on the KU VC in the shape of a procession, which was in violation to the civil servant rules and government conduct rules. The law-enforcement agencies were called as a precautionary measure, he replied to a query.

The office-bearers of the association brought out the procession in reaction to “show cause” letters issued to some of them for taking illegal occupation of a house and issuing uncivilized and immoral pamphlets against the university administration, added the spokesman, quoting the VC that there was no room for trade unionism, protest rallies, hooliganism and strike in government organizations, and employees should concentrate on their office duties.

When contacted, the general secretary of the employees’ welfare association, Jalees Ahmed Qazi, said that the press release issued by the varsity administration was all lies. “We never brought out any procession and had gone to the VC’s office to discuss our issues which he was already informed about by us,” Jalees added.

He claimed that a member of the varsity syndicate present at the VC’s office at the time of their visit misguided the authorities and the meeting could not be held between the vice chancellor and the employees delegation.

He said that in line with the recommendations of a deputy registrar, authorities resorted to undue and whimsical terminations and demotions of staff. The association demanded the removal of the deputy registrar as he was causing unrest among the employees, which could lead to an unproductive atmosphere on the campus, he added.

Following the employees move on Monday, the university had come up with the notion that during the last two weeks, a number of ghost employees had been detected and strict disciplinary measures were being taken against them.

Eight non-teaching employees have been terminated from their jobs for violation of civil servant rules, while actions are also being taken under the rules against employees involved in politicking, added the spokesman.

However, a senior office bearer of the employees association said that non-teaching staff was being victimised for their declared support to President Pervez Musharraf in the April 30 referendum.

He said that employees had also approached the federal minister on Monday, who had been informed by the KU administration that regular employees would be reinstated by Tuesday.