Students in Quetta have established a protest camp outside Bolan Medical College (BMC), demanding the reopening of the institution and its hostels, which they claim have been “occupied” by police.
The protest has been organized jointly by several student organizations across Balochistan. Demonstrators said the camp would continue until their demands are met, including the reopening of the college, the release of detained students, and accountability for the alleged police occupation of hostels.
Student leaders accused police of conducting raids on the hostels without justification, arresting students, and disrupting academic activities. “The police stormed the hostels, detained students, and disrupted the educational environment,” said one protester.
The students also alleged that the police actions aimed to create divisions between Baloch and Pashtun students. “Educational institutions should be centers of learning and peace, not zones for police operations,” student leaders stated.
The protest follows a recent police raid on BMC hostels during which several students were reportedly detained. Witnesses alleged that others were injured or rendered unconscious during the operation.
Student organizations have warned that if their demands are not addressed, they will expand the protest to other parts of Balochistan.