PU hostellers with genuine reason can stay back: DSW

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 4

The Panjab University (PU) authorities today clarified that no hostellers from neighbouring states will be allowed to stay on the campus, while arrangements will be made for those belonging to faraway places and have genuine reasons.

The hostellers were demanding to stay back on the varsity campus.

The authorities suggested that the wardens should prepare data of the students and scholars who were living here without any reason,

who had a genuine reason to stay and those who needed help to reach to their native places to take the further call.

A meeting in this regard was held today under the guidance of both DSWs and wardens.

“We have suggested that the wardens should prepare data and we will act accordingly. The students from neighbouring states, who are staying here without any valid reason, have to return to their native places. If they want to stay back, they have to give a valid reason,” said SK Tomar, DWS (Men).

He said, “We will try to make arrangements for those hailing from faraway places and have a valid reason to stay. We have not or will not force any student with genuine reason to leave hostel. International students, who wish to go back home as no classes are being held, can approach us with their expression of

interest so that we can arrange for their return with the help of whatever resources we have.”

Meanwhile, hostellers staged a protest at the Student Centre on the second consecutive day.

Though no major student political parties were involved in the protest, the students demanded that they should be allowed to stay back.

“The university authorities have said that they will not force the students belonging to faraway places to return.

I hail from a remote area in Uttar Pradesh and it’s not feasible for me to travel to my hometown. If the authorities force me to go back, I will surely join the protest, said Dheeru, said a visually impaired research scholar.