Protest in PU: FIR against unidentified students, outsiders for assaulting police

She added that Inspector Rohit Kumar (SHO, PS-17), Inspector Satnam (SHO, Industrial Area), Inspector Asha Sharma (women police station), along with DSP SPS Sondhi, were supervising police deployment. Due to the possibility of outsiders converging on the PU campus, barricades had been placed at the gate, which was also locked with an iron chain. Entry was permitted only to PU students, residents, and officials, while outsiders were not allowed inside.

According to SI Partibha, between 2 pm and 3 pm, a large group of protesters from various organisations gathered outside Gate No. 1 and began arguing with police officials, demanding entry into the campus.

The FIR states that as policemen attempted to pacify them, a large group of students approached from inside the university. Some allegedly used stones to break the iron chain and the lock on the gate, forcing it open. Protesters then allegedly barged into the campus, manhandled the police, and broke the gate, creating a law-and-order disturbance inside PU.

The FIR alleges that DSP S P S. Sondhi, Inspector Rohit Kumar, SHO Sector 17, and Senior Constable Vipin Sharma sustained injuries during the scuffle and were taken to Government Multi Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, for medical examination.

The complainant further stated that the protesters had formed an unlawful assembly, assaulted police personnel on duty, and unlawfully entered the campus. The accused remain unidentified, though the complainant has asserted that she can recognise them if produced.

The demonstration, led by the Panjab University Bachao Morcha (PUBM), involved student leaders as well as several members of farmer unions.

Members of the PUBM, joined by leaders from various farmer unions, broke through barricades at the Chandigarh–Mohali border before heading to the university. Despite heavy police presence and checkpoints, many managed to reach the PU campus.

Protest over Senate polls

The protest came amid continuing resentment over the Union government’s October 28 notification to restructure PU’s governing bodies — the Senate and the Syndicate. The move aimed to drastically reduce the number of elected members and replace elections with nominations.

Following backlash from students, faculty, and political leaders, the Ministry of Education withdrew the order on November 7. However, student groups called the withdrawal half-hearted, demanding a clear commitment to hold Senate elections that have been pending since October 2024.

The Chandigarh Police had enforced strict security arrangements, including barricading entry points, halting traffic near the campus, and restricting vehicle movement from Mohali.

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