he road next to a private college campus in Gulberg presents a picture of a no-go area. It has been barricaded and police personnel in riot gear along with guards in plainclothes can be seen watching over the campus, which is shut in the wake of violent protests by some students.

The protests were apparently triggered by an allegation of assault on the campus premises. The unverified report went viral on social media, leading to protests by students in several parts of the country. The college administration denied that such an incident had happened. The police and government representatives too said the allegations were baseless. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz called it false propaganda.

The commotion began with a rumour on October 10 that a female student had been assaulted by a security guard in the basement of the college. Later ‘reports’ hinted at the victim having been taken to a hospital and suggested that she might have expired. Several groups of students and their various sympathisers took to the streets, demanding ‘justice’ for the ‘victim.’

The police said they had arrested a security guard who had been on leave that day, for interrogation.

ASP Shehrbano Naqvi put down the agitation to misinformation. She said a false allegation had been made on the social media and the uninformed anger snowballed into a law-and-order situation. She dismissed the rape allegations and said that the police hadn’t received any complaint to that effect. “If there is any evidence, people should bring it forward. We will take the necessary legal action,” she added.

The protesters didn’t seem to buy into these reassurances. Social media was abuzz with people from various walks of life suggesting that the government was trying to brush the matter under the rug, and questioning its motive.

The ASP responded: “We are not in a rush. We have repeatedly invited [the public] to bring us whatever information [on the alleged incident] they have. But we can’t allow them to take law into their own hands based on misinformation.”

Naqvi said the protests were symptomatic of a global ‘trend’ of misinformation leading to violence. She mentioned the London riots: “It has sort of become acceptable to abuse state officials. This mentality has seeped into the youth; it’s very unfortunate.”

Some of the protesters, mostly students, said they were not outraged by the alleged incident alone. They said they were concerned for their security on campuses in general. Activist Ammar Ali Jan told TNS, “Whether [the alleged incident] happened or not is not the real issue; the real issue is the breakdown of communication on campuses.”

He said that even if there was nothing to the rumour, the students’ fears were genuine. “The students, especially girls, are scared. When they started asking questions, the authorities felt threatened. The police beat them up. This shows how we treat our students — as a law and order issue, not an asset.”

Jan said, “We’re seeing a nexus between college administrations, the education mafia, and the police. Together they have criminalised the student community.”

For ASP Shehrbano Naqvi, the protests are symptomatic of a global ‘trend’ of misinformation leading to violence. She mentions the London riots. “It has sort of become acceptable to physically and verbally abuse state representatives. This mentality has seeped into the youth; it’s very unfortunate.”

He called for formal student representation, saying, “We need student unions, and we need students on sexual harassment committees. That’s the only way communication can improve on campuses. Without representation, there will always be mistrust, and such incidents will continue to happen.”

As violent protests spread to Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Gujrat, the situation grew worse. At some places, the campus properties were vandalized and cars in the parking areas set on fire. The police used force in some instances apprehended some of the rioters.

Advocate Rai Muhammad Ali Aftab, who is representing some of the people arrested in the demonstrations, blames the government and the college administration. “The students reacted emotionally because they believed that their campuses were no longer safe,” he says. He says that timely action by the authorities to address the situation and removing misconceptions would have prevented the situation from getting out of hand.

He also says the heavy-handedness of the police led to an increase in tensions.

At the time of the filing of this report, the situation remains grim. More than 450 people have been nominated in cases registered in Lala Musa and Kharian. In an effort to restore order, the government has imposed Section 144 across the Punjab, banning protest demos and public gatherings. Educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities have been closed for two days.

In the aftermath of the protests, the Federal Investigation Agency has registered cases against 38 people under the cybercrime laws for spreading false information. The principal of the college in question has lodged a complaint accusing several social media users, including some prominent media persons, of defaming the institution and inciting violence.

This scribe tried reaching out to the college management but they were ‘not available.’

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court summoned top police officials and college administration to explain how they were handling the situation. The court also questioned the police’s apparent failure to act promptly and prevent the situation from escalating.

The Progressive Students’ Collective has vowed to continue the protests until all their demands are met. The demands have yet to be specified.

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship