Chandigarh, Nov 10 (UNI) Tension flared at Panjab University on Monday after Chandigarh UT Police lathi-charged protesting students demanding a schedule for the much-delayed PU senate elections, days after the Centre backed down on its move to replace elected governing bodies with nominated ones.
The situation created massive traffic chaos across the Chandigarh–Mohali border.
The protest, which began peacefully in the morning, turned volatile when students broke through Gate No. 1 near PGI after an altercation with the police. Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur personally intervened at the spot, climbing onto the gate in an attempt to pacify the protesters, but the students refused to disperse.
As demonstrators broke police barricades, security personnel resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Several roads connecting Mohali to Chandigarh were blocked, leaving hundreds of commuters and parents who were on their way to pick up schoolchildren stuck in long traffic jams.
Eyewitnesses reported that groups of Nihang Sikhs also joined the students’ march, demanding the restoration of the university’s democratic processes. Following the police action, a section of Nihangs moved towards YPS Chowk in Mohali, leading to further traffic restrictions and road closures.
Farmers supporting the students also staged a sit-in at Phase 6 near the Mohali-Chandigarh border, adding to the gridlock. Police set up multiple barricades and deployed around 2,000 personnel across 12 checkpoints to prevent further escalation. Vehicles entering the city were thoroughly checked, and only those with valid university identification were allowed inside after verification.
In a separate incident, Mohali police reportedly stopped a vehicle carrying a judge from entering Chandigarh, despite the driver identifying the passenger. The vehicle was eventually turned back, adding to the confusion at the border.
Due to the volatile situation, the university administration has declared a two-day holiday on November 10 and 11. Several farmer groups and political parties have extended their support to the student protest.
The ongoing unrest stems from the Centre’s October 28 notification dissolving Panjab University’s 59-year-old Senate and Syndicate bodies, a move that triggered widespread backlash across Punjab’s political spectrum. After strong opposition from state leaders, including Harpal Singh Cheema, Sukhbir Singh Badal, and Pargat Singh, the central government later withdrew the order.
However, student groups have continued their agitation under the banner of “University Bachao Morcha,” demanding a formal announcement of Senate election dates and restoration of democratic governance within the university.
As of late Monday afternoon, heavy traffic congestion persisted on Zirakpur Highway and several approach roads to Chandigarh, with police maintaining strict barricading and surveillance to prevent further escalation.
