Scores of medical students took to the streets in Quetta to protest against the National Licensing Exam (NLE) announced by the Pakistan Medical Commission a few days ago. The protestors were beaten by the Quetta police dozens of them were arrested and put in jail.
The protesting students said that getting admission to a medical college is already a tough process. With the announcement of the NLE, the medical commission of Pakistan is making it harder for students to get entry into medical institutions. They termed this move as “exploitative” and said that the PMC is flagrantly violating the rules it has put in place.
The Quetta police employed violent tactics to disperse the peaceful protestors. They baton-charged on the protests – dozens of students were beaten and their heads were smashed bloody. Numerous others were manhandled, put in chains and transported to jail. Videos of the scene show the police forces chasing down the students on the roads, beating them violently and shoving them into the police mobiles.
The photos and videos of the incidents went viral on social media and many came forward to condemn the arrests and beatings and express solidarity with the students. Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC), a students’ organization, said that the arrest of peacefully protesting students is “alarming.” It said that the medical commission’s “ineptitude” is putting the futures of medical students in jeopardy.
Zareef Rind, Chairman of Baloch Students’ Organization, also condemned the violent behaviour of the Quetta police and said that such “gangster tactics” will not quell the students’ struggle for their rights. He said that the protests against PMC’s verdict will be intensified – we request all the student bodies, teachers and rights activists throughout Balochistan to unite and raise their voice for the medical students.
Dr Malik Baloch, chief of the National Party and the former chief minister of Balochistan, also condemned the Quetta police’s behaviour towards the students. In a media statement, he said a makeshift government has been imposed on the people of Balochistan which is not capable of resolving the problems of the public.
Dr Malik said that the arrested students shall be immediately released the police personnel shall be prosecuted for their violent and unconstitutional behaviour towards the protestors.