Student parties warned against outsider interference in PU polls

In the run-up to the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) elections, the Chandigarh Police, varsity authorities and student parties today held a joint meeting.

During the meeting, the campus leaders were asked to avoid bringing outsiders to the campus for canvassing. Meanwhile, office-bearers of various political groups whose student wings are contesting elections will be allowed to enter the campus to interact with students but not to hold rallies.

“Like last year, there will be a complete ban on the entry of the outsiders to the campus. The office bearers of political groups may come and interact with the students, but they will not be allowed to hold rallies or mass gatherings. If the political groups wish to arrange a meeting, it can only be done outside the campus,” said Dean Student Welfare (DSW) Amit Chauhan.

The leaders were also asked to be vigilant during the course of elections, as the police will identify trouble-makers and the groups will be held equally responsible for any untoward incident.

“The instructions were very clear by the police. The university is putting their best foot forward for a healthy and peaceful election. And, the trouble-makers will be punished as per law,” added another official who attended the meeting.

It has also been decided to check all the four-wheelers, and not allowing vehicles bearing stickers of any political groups. The police also confirmed that surprise check will be carried out at hostels.

“The vehicle owners will be asked to remove excessive stickers of political groups as per the recommendation of the Lyngdoh Committee. Also, the police will ensure peace in the campus and nakas will remained to be placed at the campus. We are putting an extra layer of security at the entrance gates helping the university security for smooth functioning,” said a police official.

Expect official announcement next week

Meanwhile, the university authorities have submitted their plans to host the PUCSC elections with the UT Administration and the Chandigarh Police, claimed a highly placed source.

The official announcement about the schedule, implementation of Code of Conduct and announcement of results is expected to be announced next week.

The university is keen to host the election in the first week of September, however the dates will be finalised once after getting approval of the competent authorities.

The security has already been beefed up inside the campus with both the police and university security managing the flow of students and non-students coming to the campus.

Meanwhile, after a three-day break, students’ groups came back canvassing in favour of their respective parties. “The election fervour will pick up after the announcement of the election schedule. However, various political groups are currently canvassing—focusing especially on the newly inducted batch. Currently, canvassing is being done on the names of political groups, but soon it will

shift to individual faces after the declaration of candidates,” said Anshul, a university student.