KIU – Gilgit students protest against slow pace of work on Jinnah bridge

PT Report

Gilgit, June 17: A large number of students belonging to various departments of Karakuram International University, Gilgit, blocked the main Konodas road, disrupting traffic. They were protesting against the slow pace of maintenance work on the damaged Jinnah Bridge, due to which the university buses couldn’t commute students between the campus and the city, during the past three days.

The students organized a procession and marched towards the chief court, in Konodas. They were confronted by the police and, reportedly, baton charged, leading to minor injuries to some male students. The situation took a dramatic turn, however, when the female protesting students intervened, to save their male colleagues from police batons. The police had to retreat.

Representatives of the government talked to the protesting students and promised that the Jinnah bridge will be repaired by Monday, while work on the RCC Bridge will also be sped up.

The students had also been protesting against the inefficient contractors who are still unable to materialize the RCC (concrete) bridge, between Jutial and Konodas. The work on this bridge has been pending for the past many years because of alleged corruption by the contractor in funds. It is pertinent to note that recently the Chief Court of Northern Areas issued bail able arrest warrant against the said contractor.