PU hostellers taking cops for a ride by Archit Watts
Chandigarh, September 7Interlocks are new effective tool being adopted by Panjab University hostellers to evade the ongoing police searches in view of the student elections on September 12.
The search team is often greeted by locked doors. “Yes, we are aware that somebody is inside but are helpless as these locks can’t be opened. All we are left with is repeated knocks that are obviously never answered and we cannot damage the hostel property so we are forced to move on,” admitted Ramesh Chand, SHO of Sector 11 police station.
On condition of anonymity, various hostel students confirmed lodging of outsiders and even smuggling of arms and liquor by student leaders.
According to one student, “Many a time, student leaders approach us to adjust their guests in the rooms, having interlock facility. We know what to do during police raids”.
Lashing at the university authorities, a cop questioned, “How can they put interlocks when these are banned by the PU?”
“The authorities know everything. Don’t they know the rule? Then how come it is happening? They are hand in glove with “influential” offenders and try to save them”, asked the police.
However, on being questioned on the attitude of the hostel authorities on implementation of this rule, Ashvini Kaul, boys’ hostel warden, expressed his helplessness saying, “I agree that despite the ban, these locks are being used in hostels. All I can say is we will try to remove these locks and punish the offenders.”
However, even after repeated attempts, dean, Student Welfare, Naval Kishore, could not be contacted.

Chandigarh Tribune September 8, 2008