Multiple injuries were reported after the Punjab Police on Monday allegedly baton-charged students protesting against on-campus exams in Lahore.

According to the Progressive Students’ Collective (PSC), its Lahore president Zubair Siddiqui, who was leading the protest, was arrested by police from the University of Management and Technology (UMT).

The PSC later tweeted that Zubair and some other students were “critically injured and have been taken to ICU (intensive care unit)” after they were allegedly baton-charged by police.

 

It added that students were gathering outside UMT to protest against “gunda gardi (thuggery) of Punjab Police which baton-charged students”.

For their part, police denied reports of baton-charge. Saddar Division SP (Operations) Hafeezur Rehman Bugti told media that police “have not tortured [any students], and will not torture”.

He added that no first information report (FIR) has been registered and police have asked the protesting students to hold negotiations with the university administration.

A spokesperson for UMT said that the university was “bound to follow directions given by the HEC (Higher Education Commission)”. He said that the university had held online exams in the past and would continue to follow government and HEC guidelines related to exams and classes.

Meanwhile, activist Ammar Ali Jan strongly condemned the incident, saying that the government had “crossed all limits”.

“For over a year, this fascist regime has threatened, arrested and registered FIRs against students. But today, it has crossed all limits by brutally attacking peaceful protesters on the streets,” he tweeted.

For over a year, this fascist regime has threatened, arrested and registered FIRs against students. But today, it has crossed all limits by brutally attacking peaceful protesters on the streets. Govt will now face the full power of the student movement.#PoliceAttackedStudents

— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) January 25, 2021

We Demand Justice! all Students reach 9AM infront of HEC.@ShahzadYunasPTI @Shafqat_Mahmood @hecpkofficial @daniyal_abdulla#Tomorrow9AMatHEC #StudentsKoInsafDo pic.twitter.com/ElnikWTIqF

— Sardar Hanzla Tariq (@hanzlatariq76) January 25, 2021

We condemned brutal police attack on peaceful students of UMT lahore and if no action taken strike will be announced in whole pakistan I urge lawyers to come forward now to file case on Police now ⁦@OfficialDPRPP⁩ #studentskoInsafdo pic.twitter.com/cFEZFEoi52

— Shahzad Yunas Sheikh (@ShahzadYunasPTI) January 25, 2021

Some university students are demanding that their exams should be online as they have been studying online. This is a decision for the universities to make but I have asked HEC to consult VCs and see if it is possible given special circumstances this year. 1/2

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 25, 2021

2/2 Universities should also asses whether they have the technical ability to conduct exam for ALL students. No one can be left behind. It is also necessary to ensure that online exam system is not misused to get easy grades. Preparing good question papers/ assessment is imp

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 25, 2021