In Panjab varsity,another attack,another probe

Going by the number of cases,the Panjab University (PU) is all set to create a record in forming committees and inquiry reports,irrespective of the whether the matter is resolved by it or not. While the recommendations of previous inquiry reports of clashes at PU are yet to be implemented,another probe is being conducted by retired Justice S K Jain into a recent violent incident that took place at one of the boys’ hostels on the campus last month.

The authorities are unable to put a check on the incidents of violence on campus. Justice S K Jain who had earlier conducted inquiries into various incidents of violence on the campus is looking into another time-bound probe. Statements of all the witnesses as well as the students involved have been recorded. Footage from CCTV cameras,installed at the hostel entrance,has already been used as evidence into the probe where the complainant had identified the two accused.

The probe was marked by the Vice-Chancellor Prof R C Sobti when there were strong protests by students who alleged that a group of around two dozen boys attacked Panjab University Students’ Union (PUSU) president Sukhjit Singh Brar’s room in hostel number 5 on the night of May 30. Sukhjit Singh Brar claimed that he managed to escape the attack as he was not in his room at the time.

The students were further agitated when the police did not take any action against the accused despite having ample evidence and instead proceeded to falsely implicate Sukhjit Singh Brar and two other students – Gurpreet Singh and Dharuwinder Singh Brar.

“The next day after my exam I was informed about the attack by some of my friends. As we were about to approach the authorities to complain,the security officers and police arrested me and two more students on false implications that we had abused them. I was in prison for eight days and could not follow the case of my attack,” said Sukhjit Singh Brar.

In the complaint,Sukhjit Singh Brar had stated that the two dozen persons who came to attack him were carrying weapons like pistol,swords and baseball bats. He identified two persons as PU students.

Recommendations of former probes

Justice S K Jain On his reccomendation Panjab University authorities had announced to include the clause in the PU Calendar to rusticate students. As the University claimed that in the absence of this clause for the university students,that already exists for colleges,the university has only one tough stand against the violators i.e. suspension. This recommendation is yet to be implemented.

Justice K C Gupta inquired into the violence during campus elections,his recommendations were:

* Students with criminal past to be debarred from taking part in elections.

* Hostel checking to start two months prior to elections,police to assist in checking one month prior to elections.

* Suspicious outsiders debarred from entering campus

* Frequent meetings between DSW and students two months before elections.