KARACHI, Aug 7: The Karachi University registrar, Dr S.M. Aqil Burney, has referred to the town police officer concerned, an application by a group of students of MPhil and PhD addressed to the vice-chancellor.

The group of 14 students, both male and female, belonging to KU’s Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology (CEMB), in a joint application to the vice-chancellor — who is also the Chairman of the CEMB’s board of governors — have charged three senior faculty members for allegedly harassing them.

The students pointed out that an inquiry committee was constituted in the matter but, according to them, no action was taken against two male faculty members.

They said that this was not over, as a new director of the CEMB was appointed, but she too was showing ‘totally partial behaviour.’

The students said they are still on boycott, and examinations have been postponed.

They threatened self-immolation in front of the administration block if their grievances were not addressed.

The registrar, while referring their application to the TPO, described the situation as alarming, and said that it calls for special attention and special security arrangements in view of any possible law and order situation on campus.

The registrar maintained that it is essential to impose a ban on all types of gatherings/processions at the campus for a period of at least one month.—APP