FIR against unidentified outsiders, students for Nov 10 violence at PU 

A case has been registered by the Sector 11 police against unidentified students and outsiders for unlawful assembly, forcible entry and assault on police personnel during a protest at Panjab University on November 10. The FIR follows a detailed report filed by the police after reviewing the incident.

The case has been registered under Sections 221, 223, 191(2), 190, 115(2), 121(1) and 132 of the BNS after investigators confirmed that a large group had attempted to storm Gate No. 1 of the university in violation of the prohibitory orders. Police officials said the identification of the accused was under way through CCTV footage, videos and photographs, and that notices as well as arrests were expected shortly.

The incident occurred on November 10, when the protesters gathered under the banner of the Panjab University Bachao Morcha despite Section 223 of the BNS being in force on the university campus, prohibiting any form of public assembly. According to the report, the crowd —comprising students, activists and several outsiders — removed barricades, broke the lock of the main gate and attempted to force their way into the campus.

A scuffle ensued when police personnel tried to stop them, leading to injuries to several officers, including DSP SPS Sondhi, Inspector Rohit Kumar (SHO of Sector 17), Sr Constable Vipin Sharma and Sub-Inspector Pratibha. All injured were shifted to the Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16 (GMSH-16), and discharged after first-aid. The police stated that the protesters not only obstructed government officials on duty but also attempted to disturb peace by breaching the security arrangements inside the university.

The officials said the presence of media personnel and photographers during the commotion appeared to have emboldened some members of the crowd, further aggravating the situation. The gathering was subsequently declared an unlawful assembly.

The police stated that maintaining law and order within the university campuses remained a priority, and action would be taken against those identified through the ongoing video analysis.