RAWALPINDI: On Thursday, police confirmed the arrest of approximately 250 individuals following violent protests by students in the Dhoke Gangal area. The demonstrations were in response to allegations of rape involving a college student in Lahore.
The protesters forcefully entered a hostel, causing damage and clashing with police, who responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd and evacuate trapped teachers and staff. This unrest is part of a wider wave of protests across the province, fueled by social media posts regarding the alleged incident.
Violence in Lahore earlier this week resulted in injuries to more than two dozen individuals, including four police officers. In light of the escalating situation, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a crackdown on those spreading misinformation related to the case.
Rawalpindi’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations, Hafiz Kamran Asghar, assured the public that the situation was under control. “Several protesters have been arrested, and all aspects of the protests are being investigated,” he stated, noting the deployment of additional police forces at strategic locations.
Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema echoed this sentiment, confirming successful negotiations with student leaders that led to the dispersal of the protests. He emphasized that many individuals responsible for vandalism would face consequences, with extra police presence established around educational institutions.
In a related incident, a total of 274 individuals have been implicated in a case of vandalism at the Shalamar Campus of a private college in Lahore, with 24 named in the first information report (FIR). The report indicated that those involved attacked police with petrol bombs and set fire to several motorcycles belonging to staff members.
Lahore’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations, Faisal Kamran, stated that misinformation has been circulating on social media, misleading students. He noted that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is looking into the operators of these accounts, suggesting that external forces are instigating the protests. Kamran remarked, “College students are not inclined to protest; they are being influenced from the outside.” He added that the police had recovered petrol bombs from the protesters, highlighting the serious nature of the unrest.
As the situation continues to unfold, authorities remain focused on maintaining law and order while addressing the underlying issues surrounding the allegations.
