Tension is brewing on Punjabi University campus after the authorities issued a notification that girls’ hostels be closed at 9 pm, triggering protests by students who have termed the move “restrictive”.For the past few days, girl students have been staging symbolic protests by marching from their hostels to the university library — located about 1 km away — at around 10 pm. They return to the hostels at midnight to register their disagreement with the curbs.As per a recent notification, a fine of Rs 30 will be imposed for the first 30 minutes of delay after 9 pm, Rs 50 for entries between 9.30 pm and 10 pm and Rs 100 for every subsequent hour. Access to the university library for girl students has also been restricted to 11 pm and that too with prior approval from the hostel warden, said the protesting students. Vice-Chancellor Jagdeep Singh said the concerns raised by students were being examined. Former Vice-Chancellor Arvind maintained that the hostel timings had remained the same during his tenure since 2021.Meanwhile, Dean Student Welfare Mamta Sharma reiterated that there had been no change in the hostel timings. She clarified that no orders had ever been issued to keep girls’ hostels open 24×7.She added that certain measures had been introduced keeping in view the safety of girl students. The university has resumed its shuttle service between hostels and the campus, which had been discontinued during the Covid pandemic. The shuttle will ferry students from the hostel at 9 pm and bring them back at 11 pm.Sharma said some students were demanding an extension in timings and that the university was considering the matter.