‘Difficult to implement ban on outsiders inside Jadavpur University’
Times of India | 7 November 2024
123 Kolkata: A day after the Jadavpur University (JU) recirculated a notice restricting the entry of outsiders not carrying valid ID proofs to its campus between 8pm and 7am, stakeholders on Wednesday expressed apprehensions as to whether such a move would bring about any changes on the ground with many citing shortage of security guards as a matter of concern. The notice also prohibited the open consumption of drugs and alcohol on the campus.
Struggling to tackle such issues, the university had issued similar notices in 2018, 2022, and 2023. When a TOI team visited the JU campus on Wednesday night, it found that the visitors' ID cards were not being checked at the gates. Research scholar Bidu Chanda said, "The notice was circulated earlier also, but the campus situation remained the same during late evening hours and night. Though it is important to check the unregulated entry of outsiders, I am not hopeful about its implementation."
Head security guard Mukul Das flagged the issue of inadequate manpower, adding that it would be difficult to implement the notice strictly. "JU needs at least 120 security guards on any given day, but there are hardly 85 security personnel available in a day. Moreover, for a single guard posted at the gate, it will be a tough task to check the unregulated entry of outsiders and vehicles at night. Often there are untoward situations, and the security guards are attacked. At least three persons at each gate are required to implement the order," Das added.
Registrar Snehamanju Basu acknowledged the problem of a shortage of security guards. "We wrote to the education department for funds to increase the manpower. If the money is sanctioned, we can recruit more contractual security guards."
Teachers and students pointed out that despite issuing the notice multiple times, the failure to take action by authorities against those found engaged in taking drugs or consuming alcohol on the campus has deteriorated the situation. "Often it is found that outsiders get access to the campus at night through a section of insiders. They openly drink on campus, and when guards try to resist them, they get involved in a brawl. In spite of drawing the attention of the authorities, no actions were taken," said a teacher. JUTA general secretary Partha Pratim Ray stressed on the need to increase the number of guards.