CHANDIGARH: Security arrangements are being made for Punjab University teachers particularly those residing outside the Campus as more Heads of Department received personal threats.

The police reportedly took into Custody another teacher Shinder Pal Singh a lecturer at Shri Guru Gobind Singh College from his residence in Mohali probably in Connection with the threat letters issued to the Head of Departments even as anxiety is brewing about the outcome of police investigations regarding the constituents of the suspected cell of militants on the campus.

In view of fresh threats by militants to strike in the city two more Central Reserve Police Force battalions have been deployed in the city for the security of Punjab Ministers. Patrolling in the city has also been strengthened.

The University which has become the target of militants after a year has already lost its two teachers in the process. Despite militants justifications of the Killings and pressure on the campus most of the teachers continue to find the killings without any Specific logic and have been debating different causes behind the fresh threats also.

Unfortunately at the first meeting of the language committee empowered to decide the language issue once and for all and that too within a fortnight 11 of the 21 members failed to attend the meeting probably not realizing the gravity of the situation. The lacks of even a simple majority made the chairman Dr. P.N. Chhuttani adjourn the meeting to the dismay of Punjabi supporters. To the surprise of many Dr.Chhuttani chairmen of the Tribune Trust and a former PGIMER Director resigned as chairman a few days later reportedly stating that he was already overburdened with his other assignments.

Dr.Chhuttani is not known for airing anti-Punjabi views. One speculation is that he may have wanted to build a consensus among all members of the committee through more meetings. As the adjournment could have sent wrong signals to militants Dr. Chhutani though not known to have received any threat opted out.

Meanwhile the principal of the S.G.G.S College Bharpur Singh students and faculty members have urged the Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator and the Inspector General of Police to intervene and get Shinder Pal Singh released. Charanjit Chawla and Tarsem Bahia on behalf of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union have also demanded his immediate release.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 12, 1992