To curb free trips, PU bans entry of buses on campus

Panjab University has banned the entry of buses on the campus in the wake of various parties resorting to offering fun and free trips to lure student voters. While many such instances have come to light in the past as well, on Sunday four buses were used to ferry students – two each to Shimla and Kasauli, carrying hostellers and many others. Sources said trips were offered by a local political campus group and another a student wing of a national party. In one case, the buses were parked outside gate number 3, but security officials did not act.

Late on Sunday evening, dean student welfare Navdeep Goyal said that the university has decided to ban the entry of buses on the campus to pick and drop students from the campus.

“Security officials have also been asked to keep a vigil on the gates. The PU will videograph such events in the future. The hostel wardens are keeping a close watch. They are often tipped by rival groups if such a trip is there. Also parking of buses around the campus is also not being allowed,” said Goyal.

He added that trips organised by departments had been cancelled till elections conclude, so that the student groups do not take buses inside in the garb of any such exercise.

Mass bunking is another issue that the varsity is grappling with. This usually takes place for trips within the city like for watching a movie and parties. “Teachers have been asked to continue with the scheduled academic activity so that if there is any incident of mass bunking, it gets exposed,” the officials said.