KARACHI: At least 50 students were injured and hundreds arrested on Saturday when two student groups having affiliations with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) clashed in different colleges and universities. The activists mostly used bricks, bottles and metal rods but gunshots were also fired in one of the colleges.
| But only by upper classmen, so it was okay... |
The clashes between the MQMâs All-Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization (APMSO) and the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) broke out in the Karachi University, Federal Urdu University, City College, Government College for Men, Dawood Engineering College, Islamia College, National College and Jinnah College. The IJT accused the AMPSO activists of sparking the clashes by provoking Jamiat students.
| "You know we ain't got no self-control, so it's your fault for provoking us!" |
An IJT spokesman said that more than 30 students of his group received head injuries. Police said it had arrested at least 100 activists of both the groups. Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were sent to the institutions soon after the eruption of clashes. In some of the institutions, they had to resort to baton-charge to quash the rioting.
| If all the JI thugs got was head injuries, then they probably weren't hurt seriously. Besides, the turbans deflect most of the impact... |
Later at a press conference, MQMâs MNA Hyder Abbas Rizvi and APMSO chief MPA Faisal Sabzwari said the IJT students attacked the APMSO supporters in different colleges and universities. Denying, Karachi Jamaat-e-Islami city chief Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui said âarmed terrorists attacked the IJTâs unarmed workers and the colony of professors and lecturers.â Both the groups also accused each other of kidnappings their activists. The IJT named three members who it said were abducted. |