LAHORE: Violent protest erupted outside a Punjab College in Lahore’s Gulberg area on Monday over the alleged rape of a first-year female student by the college’s security guard.
Students protested, leading to clashes with security guards who attempted to lock down classrooms and gates.
In response, students outraged damaging property and CCTV cameras. Some students also set some college property on fire, while the police force attempted to evict the students from the premises.
While students staged demonstrations to demand justice for their fellow, Lahore police, including the anti-riot force, were deployed to control the unrest.
Police baton-charged protesters to disperse them leading to the clashes, which resulted in injuring 10 students and four police officials.
Following the backlash and demonstration, the Punjab govt suspended the registration of Punjab College for Women, 43 & 43-A, Block-E-I, Gulberg-III, Lahore, till further orders. The Directorate of Public Instruction (Colleges) issued the suspension of the registration certificate of the college.
Earlier, a security guard at a Punjab college in Lahore’s Gulberg was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a first-year student during college hours.
According to reports, the suspect reportedly raped the student in the college’s basement, after which he fled the scene when the victim raised the alarm. The guard was apprehended in Sialkot following multiple raids by law enforcement.
A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest and said investigations are ongoing. “All available resources were utilised to arrest the fugitive,” the spokesperson added, noting that efforts to locate the victim and her family are underway.
The victim, identified as a resident of Sheikhupura, is a student at Punjab College’s Gaddafi Stadium Hali Road branch. Police have yet to release further details about the investigation.
