BAHAWALPUR: Panic gripped the Baghdadul Jadid campus of Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) where a group of students allegedly opened fire on Wednesday.

The students later demonstrated at DCO Chowk, which was blocked through university buses.

A clash had erupted between students and alleged outsiders belonging to the Anjuman-i-Tulaba-i-Islam (ATI) resulting in a crossfire. No casualties were reported, however.

University officials and police sources claimed the exchange of fire was between two groups of the ATI. Later, students in university buses reached the DCO Chowk and blocked it.

They alleged recruitments had been being made and laptops distribution unjustly in violation of merit and that they be returned their fee as per government policy for students seeking higher education.

When contacted, IUB acting vice chancellor Prof Dr Rao Muhammad Afzal told Dawn expelled students belonging to the ATI had resorted to the firing demanding they be reinstated.

He denied having recruited anyone against merit and added no recruitments had been made so far. He also denied laptops had been distributed against merit.

He further said students of Bachelors of Science evening programme had demanded their fee be returned, which could not happen as the government policy did not apply to them.

However, he claimed he had replaced the security in-charge.

According to the VC, when the demonstrating students returned to the university after over an hour, they also disturbed an exhibition organised by the arts and design department and allegedly attacked and wounded a lecturer, Hassan. He said a complaint was lodged against the assault with the police.

Published in Dawn December 4th , 2014