HPNLU Protests: Washrooms sealed off, drinking water facilities removed as protest enters Day 3

The administration appears to have amped up its efforts to evict students of the Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), in view of the ongoing protest against the lack of basic amenities at the University.

An eviction notice was issued on Wednesday evening, directing the students to vacate the campus premises with immediate effect. Further, the University notice, stated to have been issued at the instance of the University Chancellor, had also warned that students choosing to remain on campus would be doing so at their own risk.

After the students chose to stick firm on the demonstration, the University appears to have resorted to sealing off washrooms, confiscating utensils, and removing water purifiers.

A video posted here by the students online shows eating utensils being taken away. Students sources told Bar & Bench that washrooms were sealed today, and drinking water facilities removed.

The lack of basic amenities at the University had prompted the students of HPNLU to commence protests six months ago, in March this year. However, at that time the protest was called off temporarily, with the student body making it clear that it would resume the protests if the issues raised are not addressed.

On Tuesday, the students took to resuming their protest over the slow administrative response to their concerns. Apart from registering their protest to the continuing absence of basic facilities such as safe drinking water, hygienic food and inhabitable hostel rooms, the student body has also claimed that they  have not been provided with moot court facilities, sports facilities, and WiFi, despite being charged for the same. The other demands include the creation of a democratically elected Student Body Association, transparency in administrative functioning, and introduction of adequate medical facilities on campus.

Speaking to Bar & Bench on Wednesday, Vice Chancellor Nishitha Jaswal had cited lack of funds as the reason for not being able to accede to the student demands for improved amenities. Reacting to the resumption of the protests, the University administration had earlier issued a notice threatening the protesting students with strict action.

Meanwhile, students of the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) Kochi, and the Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna have issued statements expressing their solidarity with the HPNLU student protests.

For more updates on the protest, follow the student-managed HPNLU, Shimla twitter handle