As polls near, PU student bodies resort to protests

Making your presence felt is the first rule for success in politics and the student bodies perhaps are following it to the fullest by staging protests as the student council elections are due in the near future.
A number of student bodies on the PU campus are staging protests on different issues on daily basis. The varsity authorities on Wednesday stepped in to pacify the protesters and to get an idea what their demands were.
Demanding removal of a clerk posted with the Sanskrit department, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leaders are protesting for the last two days and didn’t allow any academic activity occur in the department. They alleged that clerk Shashi Joshi’s behaviour was rude towards the students. A committee has been formed after ABVP representatives met Dean Students Welfare (Women) Nandita Singh. “We are looking into their demands,” she said.
Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) has been demanding transparency in hostel allocations by putting the information on allotments and waiting list online. “The students seeking hostel accommodation belong to as distant a place as Jammu. But still don’t have an idea whether or not they will get hostel accommodation. We also want the facility of online payment of hostel fee,” said Tejinder Dhiman, a leader of PUSU.
Students For Society (SFS) is protesting for the last nine days, demanding strict antisexual harassment rules in place and action in connection with the two sexual harassment complaints.
The students under SFS banner marched through the university, raising slogans in favour of democratisation of Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) and against gender discrimination on campus. Addressing students, SFS president Arishdeep said, “Authorities are avoiding debating the issue. There silence continues, which casts aspersions on the credibility and credentials of PUCASH members.”
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Gujarat: Massive fire breaks out in Jamnagar hotel; no injuries reported
A massive fire broke out at Alento hotel near Gujarat's Jamnagar on Thursday night around 8pm. The fire was doused and brought under control, police officials said. Of these 20 were staff members and 27 were guests at the hotel, KK Babariya, a police official who was present at the spot said. Most of them were safely out of the hotel within minutes of the fire. The guests at the hotel mostly comprised of employees and visitors of these factories.
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Enjoy free ride on Independence Day on government buses in Bengaluru
Free bus services will be provided for the public across Bengaluru on August 15 as India celebrates 75 years of independence, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation has announced. On Thursday, the BMTC issued a statement regarding their silver jubilee celebrations. The BMTC also announced that they will be offering 300 electric buses to the public which are going to be launched on August 14 at Vidhana Soudha of Bengaluru.
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COVID positivity on rise in Karnataka, Govt urges people to get booster shot
Highlighting that the COVID-19 positivity is on the rise, Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Thursday said only 17 per cent of people have taken booster shots, and urged all to get the additional dose of the vaccine. "Not taking the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine even when it has been made available free for everyone amounts to negligence and we as responsible citizens must avail it to enhance immunity," Sudhakar said.
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Three more witnesses examined in Gauri Lankesh murder trial
Three more witnesses, including two policemen, were examined in the Gauri Lankesh murder trial at the special court for Karnataka Control of Organised Crime on Thursday. Trial Judge CM Joshi presided over the trial. Police inspector Shiva Reddy, who arrived at the murder scene was examined by the special public prosecutor and also questioned by the defence. The second witness who was examined on Thursday was Public Works Department, assistant engineer, VN Kalageri.
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39-km ring road project: Ambala admn to disburse land compensation from next week
Compensation against land acquired for the Ambala ring road project will be disbursed to land owners from next week, officials of the district administration said on Thursday. “NHAI has already released ₹150 crore for land compensation. Further process for disbursement will be initiated by the district revenue officer,” said Kuldeep Chand, an official from the technical branch of NHAI's Ambala zone office.