Tragic Incident at Punjab Group of Colleges: A First-Year Student Allegedly Assaulted
What Happened?
On October 11, a first-year student at Punjab Group of Colleges was reportedly assaulted by a security guard on the college premises. The incident came to light when a lecturer asked about the student’s absence. Her friends contacted the student’s parents, who revealed the shocking details.
How Did the Incident Occur?
According to college students, a bus driver deceived the girl by telling her that her fees were pending. He led her to the basement of the college, where she was allegedly assaulted by a security guard.
What Happened After the Assault?
The students claimed that the victim’s condition worsened after the incident. She was taken out of the college, covered in a *duppata* (a shawl), to hide her injuries.
Student Protests and Demands.
Students began sharing the incident on social media, which led to protests outside various campuses of Punjab Group of Colleges. The protesters demanded that an FIR (First Information Report) be filed against the security guard involved and that he be brought to justice.
Education Minister’s Response.
Punjab Education Minister, Rana Sikandar Hayat, addressed the protests. He stated that students were raising their voices for justice and assured them that their demands would be heard. The minister warned the college management not to punish any students for protesting.The minister also mentioned that the registration of Punjab College had been temporarily suspended, and he supported the students’ cause.
Allegations of Evidence Tampering
Some students accused the principal of deleting CCTV footage related to the incident. The education minister met with the protesting students and promised that he would ensure the matter was properly investigated.
Violence Against Protesters
Students protesting at the Gulberg campus showed their bloodstained clothes, claiming they had been beaten by security guards and police officers. According to them, the principal and vice principal had ordered the violence.Some students said that police entered the college premises and used rifles to hit them. Additionally, a student at the Muslim Town campus was seriously injured by college security guards
Rumors and Misinformation
Some protesters claimed that the alleged victim had died, although no official confirmation has been provided. Others reported that they were threatened by the college administration, who warned them that their academic careers could be ruined if they continued to protest.
Concerns Over Expulsion
Students expressed their fear that they might be expelled or face legal action for protesting. They said that both the police and college administration had taken photos of them during the protests.
Injuries and Lack of Media Coverage
Rescue 1122 confirmed that at least 27 students were injured during the protests. The students also expressed frustration that mainstream media was not covering the incident, forcing them to rely on social media to spread awareness.
Police Response.
At a press conference, DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said that the police had responded quickly after the alleged rape went viral on social media. A security guard from Sargodha was arrested.Kamran stated that the police had checked hospital records and CCTV footage but found no evidence of the incident. He declared the reports of the alleged rape a rumor and warned that legal action could be taken against those spreading false information under the Cyber Crime Act
