RAWALPINDI: Police arrested more than 380 student protesters in Rawalpindi and filed cases against over 1,500 unidentified individuals. The arrests came after a large demonstration on Thursday by students protesting the alleged rape of a college student in Lahore.
Police reported that the protesters violated Section 144, disrupted public order, and damaged property. They threw stones at police vehicles, torched property, and interfered in state affairs.
According to the FIRs, the protesters injured police officers and caused fear by ransacking a hostel. They entered the hostel by force, pelted stones, and damaged vehicles inside the premises.
In response, police used teargas to disperse the crowd. Officers evacuated teachers and staff who were trapped inside the building during the protest.
Police registered cases at multiple stations, including Airport, Gujjar Khan, Saddar (Wah), Morgah, and Naseerabad.
To prevent further unrest, authorities closed the road leading from Faizabad to Murree by placing containers on it.
These demonstrations followed widespread unrest in Punjab after the rape allegations went viral on social media. Students in various cities have staged protests in recent days.
Earlier this week, violent protests in Lahore resulted in injuries to more than two dozen people, including four police officers.
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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz responded on Wednesday by announcing a crackdown on those spreading fake news about the alleged rape.
She stated that the police and provincial government had found no victim and blamed misinformation online for fueling the protests.
As part of the response, authorities in Punjab ordered the closure of all educational institutes on Friday. This decision will affect about 26 million students across the province.
In addition to closing the schools, the provincial interior department also banned public gatherings on Friday and Saturday to prevent further unrest.
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