Security revamp at JU: Registration of visitors’ vehicles must, no short-cut through campus
Times of India | 19 March 2025
1234 Kolkata: Security measures were tightened at Jadavpur University gates a day after the varsity administration announced its decision to beef up security on the campus. On Tuesday, JU interim vice chancellor Bhaskar Gupta sent a correspondence to the state govt, requesting funding to enhance security and permission for an executive council meeting on the issue.
Following Monday's notice, log books were positioned at all campus entrances, with staff at gate three ensuring vehicle registration upon entry. On Tuesday, visitors' and external vehicles had to make an entry into the log books before entering the premises.
Security personnel also restricted pedestrians at gate 3 from 7 pm from using the campus as a short-cut.
Speaking to TOI, Gupta said, "We have a real shortage of security staff on the campus. After issuing the order, security checks were implemented, but at the same time, it's tough with this limited security strength. To enforce proper checks, we need to recruit more security staff, where funding is the major obstruction now. We are hopeful that the state govt will look into it."
The correspondence highlighted requirements for additional CCTV installations and security personnel recruitment, noting that over 35 security positions remain unfilled. Student reactions to the enhanced security were varied. Third-year undergraduate Sneha Mitra opposed the measures as restrictive, while second-year student Srija Roy criticised the allocation of funds to surveillance rather than addressing infrastructure issues, particularly poor washroom conditions affecting female students. Engineering student Bitadru Choudhary questioned the restrictions at a public university, while MSc student Aniket Ghosh supported the measures for maintaining academic peace. Tuhina Khatun advocated for balanced security that wouldn't impede student movement.
JUTA general secretary Partha Pratim Ray supported the enhanced security measures to prevent troublesome outsiders.