LAHORE, April 4: The All-Pakistan Clerks Association unit of the Punjab Education Department on Friday locked the gates of the University of Education and did not allow any official to enter the campus.

APCA leaders along with BPS-1 to 16 officials of the Directorate of Staff Development observed a strike against, what they called, UE vice-chancellor’s illegal occupation of the directorate building, infrastructure and employees.

All DSD officials, including director administration Nasrullah Virk, director training Khalid Masood and PITE director Rana Safdar, were compelled to stand outside the university campus till afternoon. A police contingent was also deployed outside the university.

Vice-chancellor Dr Mustafa Habibullah did not turn up as he had reportedly gone outstation to inspect affiliated colleges.

The strike also suspended the training session of 118 headmasters and headmistresses. The protesters, however, allowed the female staff and headmistresses to go inside the campus, but with a condition that they would not do any official work.

The protesters, carrying banners and placards, chanted slogans against the vice-chancellor for his behaviour and introduction of anti-employees policies.

Speaking on the occasion, APCA leaders Rana Mohammed Akram, Asif Asghar, Afzaal Bhatti, Rana Mahboob Subhani and others appealed to the chief minister to intervene and decide the fate of DSD and its employees. They also demanded an inquiry against the usage of DSD funds on useless projects. They said the CM should also investigate the panel sent by the VC for the appointment of director administration as well as appointments of other ‘favourites’ on higher salaries.