PU STUDENTS PROTEST AFTER BEING TOLD TO VACATE HOSTELS

CHANDIGARH : As many as 150 students of Panjab University (PU) who were living in hostels on campus have been left in the lurch after they were told to vacate the premises by university administration on Friday.

Students expressed their resentment over the varsity’s move and protested outside vicechancellor Raj Kumar’s office for over six hours. The protesting students also tried to enter the office but were not allowed by the security guards.

Mukesh, who lives in boys’ hostel number five, said, “I live in Prayagraj and there is no direct transport to go back. I am a research scholar and there is no internet facility in my village. It is not feasible for me to vacate the hostel in this situation.”

In a circular issued by dean students’ welfare (DSW), hostel residents who belong to Haryana, Punjab, UP and other states of the region were advised to vacate the hostels immediately.

PU DSW SK Tomar said, “Hostellers were waiting for exams but amid uncertainty, PU is being closed till July 31. Teachers and students are not coming to campus and Covid-19 cases are on the rise. Students, especially those who belong to nearby states, were requested to leave the hostel. The others won’t be forced to leave. ”