On October 11, a first-year student of the Punjab Group of Colleges was allegedly raped by a security guard on the premises of the campus. Students alleged that a lecturer inquired about the absence of a student, upon which her friends contacted the parents of the victim. The victim’s parents informed them that their daughter was allegedly raped by a security guard of the college.

According to the college students, a college bus driver tricked the girl to come in the basement of the college by saying her fees was pending. They alleged she was raped by the security guard there.

Earlier, the accused security guard was arrested after news related to the alleged on-campus rape of the student went viral on the social media. The suspect had been arrested and an investigation was underway, as per the police.

Protesting against the untoward incident, students mobilised on social media and turned to the streets outside different colleges in the city. During one of the protests, clashes broke out between the protesters and the security team of a college. Afterwards, the students also clashed with the police.

A clash broke out between security personnel and students at the Hafeez Centre Punjab College Campus, as per a statement issued by Rescue 1122.

 “Twenty-seven people were injured during the clash and rescue personnel provided first aid to them. One student was seriously injured and was transferred to the Services Hospital Lahore,” the statement said.

The police were trying to locate the victim and her family so that the investigation could continue, Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Faisal Kamran said while addressing a press conference on Monday.

So far, claims related to the alleged rape that went viral on social media could not be verified. Investigations are underway,” he said.

He maintained, “The protesting students had demanded the custody of the college principal following the alleged incident. The superintendent of police (SP) Model Town and assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Model Town have evacuated the principal.”

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat arrived at Punjab College and assured the protesting students of justice.

He said, “Action will be taken against the principal and the college administration if allegations related to the deletion of pictures and video evidence are proved.”