Utkal University’s proposal for installation of CCTV cameras on the campus has remained limited to official files. The decision was taken a year back.
Though deployment of ex-servicemen on the campus has been hailed by both teachers and a section of students’ community, both feel that security system would be incomplete without installation of CCTVs.
Violence is not new on the campus and several times in the past, people have blamed the university administration for being inefficient in preventing such incidents.
In July last year, a fight had stemmed up over establishment of a help desk in the university. While one group of students was in favour of the desk to help newcomers on several issues, another was opposing it tooth and nail. Later in October the same year, a similar incident occurred when some anti-socials entered the Gopabandhu hostel and attacked its inmates over previous enmity. Last week, the proposed hike in hostel fees faced strong protests.
To prevent such incidents, authorities had decided to install CCTV surveillance cameras at entrance points to keep track of the visitors and students to the University and all its hostels. The PG Council decided to install CCTVs on a priority basis at Gopabandhu and Madhusudan boys hostels by November last year.
That apart, the University had decided to strengthen security at the three entrances by installing CCTVs and biometric attendance machines. But now the University lacks funds to take up any of the works. The University has six boys hostels housing 1,158 students and as many girls hostels housing 1,108. In 2011, another 100-seater girls hostel was opened.
Sources said the decision on CCTV cameras was taken by former registrar DN Jena and with his retirement, the matter was put on hold.
University’s PG Council officials said since the decision of fee hike has been put on hold, arranging funds for installing CCTVs is difficult.
“The proposal for CCTVs and biometric attendance machines is very much there in University’s security plans, but where is the money?,” said PG Council Chairman PK Mishra.
“When we want to raise the fees for beefing up security in the campus, students protest. It seems like we need to sensitise the students first before taking any measure,” he added.