Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Student demonstrations at Panjab University demanding the announcement of the long-delayed Senate elections turned confrontational on Monday, prompting authorities to strengthen security across the campus and nearby areas.
Despite the Ministry of Education retracting its controversial October 28 order earlier this month, students continued their agitation, calling for a ‘PU Bandh’ until the Senate election schedule is formally announced. Protesters also demanded the release of detained students, and support for the movement grew as more demonstrators carrying BKU flags joined the campus. Food langars were organized to sustain the prolonged protest.
In response, police imposed strict security measures, including barricades at all gates, bus deployments, and road checkpoints around the university. Security personnel were stationed along the Chandigarh-Mohali-Zirakpur border, and the SSP of Chandigarh indicated that reserve forces could be called in if tensions escalated further.
The heightened security has caused major traffic disruptions, particularly near the Phase-6 Chandigarh-Mohali border, where trucks and buses used as barricades created long vehicle queues. Commuters in Zirakpur also faced delays due to vehicle checks by police, forcing many to find alternative routes.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, balancing campus security with efforts to minimize disruption to traffic and daily life, as the standoff between students and administration shows no signs of easing.
