Ludhiana, April 23 -- Heavy forces were deployed at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) ahead of a peaceful protest called by the non-teaching staff on Tuesday.

The protest was in response to the suspension of a junior employee, which the staff allege was carried out under political pressure from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Commissioner of police Swapan Sharma himself led the force.

Ahead of the planned 9 am protest by the PAU Employees Union, several union leaders were reportedly detained-some from their homes and others from the university premises-sparking widespread outrage among staff, opposition leaders and former university officials. Protesters were rounded up and taken away in police vans, though they were later released...