How safe are college campusesIJ The focus here is firmly on college management and their role in ensuring security of the students in the backdrop of increased reportage of manhandled incidents against women within the campus.
The administration has also issued directives for colleges, to seriously review the security arrangements for girls and women within the campuses. However, a probe into the existing security system within the college campuses throws up contrary results.
Recently, a gap on the wall of Women’s college was again witnessed which was filled by the administration a couple of weeks ago in the wake of untoward incident on the campus where a young couple was beaten up by the boys of adjoining Adivasi Hostel.
When the college authority was questioned for the reason behind this ignorant behaviour of the administration, college Vice-Principal Meena Sahai replied, “What can we doIJ Security guards are there, police officials in civil dress are patrolling. What else can be doneIJ”
She further added that the college administration is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring students’ security. However, such incidents are even shocking for the administration too.
On Monday morning, after finding a whole on the wall some the students immediately informed the nearby lalpur police station about the matter. However, the cops failed to catch the culprit. lalpur Police Station in-charge Sailesh Prasad said, “As soon as we got the information our team rushed down to find the guilty but eventually we missed the chance.”
He further added that the administration has asked the college authority to fill the cavity of the wall again and make sure the incident does not get repeated again.
Interestingly, the gap of the wall after getting filled has a slit at its upper end. “I have also noticed it and has asked the labourers to fill the gap properly,” said Sahai.
On the question of establishing a visitors’ room at the entrance of colleges premises she added, “The plan is in process and soon will be seen on ground too. This is not the right time to disclose any further detail regarding this.”
Meanwhile, the students availing the college hostel do not feel secure anymore. A hostel girl said, “The incident shook me to the core. This is not the first time, earlier also boys use to enter the premises through the gap and pass lewd comments.”
Echoing her, another girl said, “No extra measures have been taken from the college end. The security guards are only for namesake as they never ask to produce Id card before taking entry.”