GNDU students asked to pick up their luggage from hostels

Admn wants to convert these into isolation wards

First, the decision to convert hostels into isolation wards rests completely on the district administration. The university has no say in it. We were requested to hand over two boys’ hostels and one girls’ hostel for this purpose. We had requested that our health centre can be used for the same, but officials need more rooms. We will ensure all safety and precaution while clearing out rooms if any student is not able to come or send acquaintance. The entire process will be video-graphed and every item will be labelled so that nothing is misplaced.

Prof KS Kahlon, Registrar, GNDU.

Neha Saini

Tribune news service

Amritsar, April 17

Students of Guru Nanak Dev University, who have been allotted hostels, have written to the government authorities, including the CM’s office and the Vice-Chancellor, objecting the process of converting the hostels into isolation wards.

In letters addressed to several officials, the students have requested to reconsider the decision.

“We have been asked to vacate our rooms and take away belongings till Sunday. This is being asked when we have returned to our native places. In the lockdown, we are unable to come to the hostels to collect our belongings,” said the students.

“Many students residing in the university hostels are from other states. Other students have left their important documents such as DMCs, copies of thesis work and laptops in the hostels. The university authorities have asked to us to send any local relative to collect the items or they will remove these on their own. There are chances that these documents may get misplaced. If this happens, who will be responsible?” said Ajay Kumar, who is in Fatehabad in Haryana.

Naman Anand, a LLB student, who lives in Hisar, said the decision had been taken without considering the difficult situation of the hostellers. “I live in boys’ hostel no. 1 that has 300 rooms and each is shared by two students. The university has given us two options, either authorise any of our local classmate or relative to pick up our stuff. Otherwise, they will break the locks and get the stuff out on their own. There are many students who do not have any relative or classmates to pick up their stuff.”

Dinesh Chadha, advocate and state adviser to the CYSS, a students’ union of the AAP, said the authorities shouldn’t impose such illogical decisions on students.

Meanwhile, the university authorities said they would exercise all necessary protocol to ensure the safety and security of the students’ property.

“First, the decision to convert hostels into isolation wards rests completely on the district administration. The university has no say in it. We were requested to hand over two boys’ hostels and one girls’ hostel for this purpose. We had requested that our health centre can be used for the same, but officials need more rooms. We will ensure all safety and precaution while clearing out rooms in case any student is not able to come or send acquaintance. The entire process will be video-graphed and every item will be labelled so that nothing is misplaced,” said Prof KS KAhlon, Registrar, GNDU.