RAWALPINDI, October 17, 2024: The garrison city witnessed significant unrest as over 150 protesters were arrested following violent demonstrations against the alleged rape of a college student in Lahore.
The protests were sparked by reports circulating on social media, leading to the arrest of a security guard connected to the incident.
Students mobilized quickly, staging protests outside various colleges in Lahore, which intensified over the past few days. On Monday last, clashes broke out between students and college security personnel, resulting in at least 28 injuries.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz labelled the allegations as “fabricated news,” blaming the PTI for spreading false information online. Officials from the Punjab Group of Colleges, including Director Agha Tahir, have also dismissed the claims as baseless.
Rawalpindi’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations, Hafiz Kamran Asghar, said that the situation is now under control. He stated that although police did not intend to arrest students, legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt public order during protests.
Asghar assured the public that all angles of the protests are being investigated, with a heavy police presence deployed around main roads and colleges in the city. Closed roads have been reopened, and police continue to monitor various locations to ensure safety.