Gun on campus? PAU student fires in air

LUDHIANA: A video showing a Punjab Agricultural University student firing in the air from the hostel campus surfaced on social media on Tuesday night. It has sent the university authorities and cops in a tizzy.

Semester VI student of BSc (agriculture) Khushpreet Singh Kehal, 21, a resident of Sangrur, claimed that he used a toy pistol in the video. The police have started a probe after an anonymous complaint was sent to the director general of police, the chief minister and the Ludhiana police commissioner. The university authorities, too, after receiving a complaint from a parent of a student have formed a committee to look into the issue.

The video was first seen on Snapchat.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Ashwani Kapur said, "I have received the videos. The weapon used by the PAU student in the videos is not a toy pistol. We have rounded him up for questioning."

PAU vice-chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon said the authorities have taken a serious view of the incident. "Even if it was a toy, it's a clear case of indiscipline. We have to ensure that discipline is maintained and peace not disturbed. We will take appropriate action," he said.

"Initial probe has found that it's a toy pistol, but we are looking into the incident. Even if it's a toy gun, the committee would recommend action against the student, as such an act can create scare," said Dhaliwal.

On weapons being found on campus, the DCP said, "It is the responsibility of respective educational institutes to keep a check on students. There are hostel wardens, deans and students' welfare officers to keep a check on such activities. Police can act only after their complaint."

Assistant commissioner of police (licensing) Balwinder Singh said, "If a person opens fire in the air, he can be booked under Section 336 (act endangering life or personal security of others) of the IPC and the Arms Act, depending on if the weapon was licensed or not."