Torture on students, teachers: LHC issues notice to BoGs of 26 colleges

A division bench of Lahore High Court, here on Thursday, while hearing a suo motu case about police torture on the protesting teachers and students outside Punjab Assembly, restrained teachers/students from observing a boycott till the final decision of the court. The bench, headed by LHC chief justice, Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry also issued notices to board of governors of 26 colleges and adjourned hearing to January 24 next.
A report on behalf of the Punjab police has already been submitted in the court wherein it has been explained that the protestors, defying all security cautions, reached the assembly where protests and demonstrations are prohibited. It said that the action was taken against them (students) in defence and to avoid damage as well as protect sanctity of the assembly.
The police and the security persons on December 8 last resorted to baton-charging and free use of tear gas on the teachers and students who were protesting in front of Punjab Assembly against the constitution of Board of Governors (BoGs) in colleges. They were expressing concerns that BoGs would slash the number of teachers in colleges under the garb of downsizing and raise the college fees beyond the financial capacity of the students. Dozens of teachers and students sustained injuries while many others were taken into custody who were later released.