A ‘‘Forced’’ fun trip for teachers on Sunday, organised by the Panjab University’s Academic Staff College, turned into a nightmare. A dozen teachers had to be hospitalised after they were attacked by honey bees. The incident occurred at Yadavindra Gardens, Pinjore.One of the victims, Sanjeev Srivastava (a lecturer from Patiala), told Express, ‘‘I did not want to go but was forced to. We were going for lunch in the garden, when suddenly, hundreds of honey bees attacked our group. I had to take off my clothes and jump into the pool.’’ He was rushed to a nearby clinic. Doctors said his condition, when he was brought to the clinic, was serious. The teachers said the ASC authorities had made the picnic compulsory despite it being an off day. A total of 53 teachers had paid Rs 110 each for the trip. A number of women teachers said they did not want to go on the trip but were told they would otherwise not be issued certificates for the month-long orientation course.ASC Honorary Director R.C. Sobti denied the allegations. ‘‘They themselves volunteered to go on the trip. I never forced anybody.’’ PU Vice-Chancellor Prof K.N. Pathak said: ‘‘It’s shocking. I am completely unaware of any such trip. Nobody informed me about the incident either. I will ask for the director’s comments and take action if anybody gives me a written complaint.’’
