TAXILA, June 9: Scores of female students appearing in the Intermediate exam at Govt Degree College for Women Wah Cantt centre were deprived of their belongings including cash and cell phones on Friday.

The affected students told newsmen here on Saturday that at the beginning of the paper, they handed over their bags and purses to the incharge of the centre. They complained, however, that when they got these bags back after the paper, their cell phones as well as cash had gone.

Anum Sabir, an affected student, said she had to walk on foot for around 4 kilometers in hot weather after taking the paper, as she was left penniless after all the cash was stolen from her bag.

Rashida Bibi, another affected student, alleged that the male peon and the sweeper deputed at the examination hall were responsible for the theft of the belongings as no other staff was allowed to enter into the examination hall.

Another student, who wished not to be named, alleged the college administration was hand in glove with “the black sheep among the staff”.

Another student Fatima Bibi alleged that every year dozens of students appearing in the board and university examination at the centre were deprived of their valuables as the same Class-IV staff was involved in the practice and the college administration seemed helpless against them.

The affected students urged director colleges Rawalpindi and secretary education Punjab to take stock of the situation and conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident.

When contacted, Safia Nazeer Principal Govt Degree College for Women Wah Cantonment confirmed the incident took place and said she had received numerous verbal complaints from students. However, she said she was looking into the matter and would only initiate an inquiry if she received any written complaint from the affected students.

Director Colleges Rawalpindi Dr Mohammad Ashraf talking to Dawn said he was not aware of the sorry state of affairs prevailing at the centre and vowed he would direct the concerned quarters to initiate an impartial probe into the shameful incident.