LAHORE: At least 27 people were injured after students clashed with a college’s security team and then with the police in Lahore during a protest against the alleged on-campus rape of a girl, rescue officials said.
A day prior, a security guard was arrested after news related to the alleged rape of the student went viral on social media. According to a police statement, the suspect had been arrested and an investigation was underway.
It, however, added that a first information report (FIR) of the incident had not been registered as the family members of the victim had not come forward to lodge it.
Enraged by the alleged incident, students mobilised on social media and staged protests outside different colleges in the city today. During one of the protests, clashes broke out between the protesters and the security team of a college, resulting in casualties.
According to a statement issued by Rescue 1122, a clash broke out between security personnel and students at the Hafeez Centre Punjab College Campus.
“Twenty-seven people were injured during the clash and rescue personnel provided first aid to them,” the statement said. “One student was seriously injured and was transferred to the Services Hospital Lahore.”
Addressing a press conference, Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Faisal Kamran said the police were trying to locate the victim and her family so that the investigation could continue.“So far, claims related to the alleged rape that went viral on social media could not be verified,” he said. “Investigations are underway.”
“The protesting students had demanded the custody of the college principal following the alleged incident,” DIG Kamran explained. “The superintendent of police (SP) Model Town and assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Model Town have evacuated the principal.”
He also said that the SP and ASP, along with police personnel, had been injured due to stone pelting by students during the protest.
“A few students suffered minor injuries after they clashed with the college’s security team and were given first aid,” he said, adding that the police were constantly in touch with students as well as the college administration.
He further said that all hospital records and college CCTV footage had been checked, but the incident could not confirmed.
