Campus security has again become an issue in the light of the Manipal rape incident. Ever since the Jnana Bharathi campus rape, the state police had been contemplating drawing up guidelines for campus security, especially in some of the educational hubs across the districts.
State DG&IGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau said he will review the security aspects in select campuses after meeting with institution heads and district SPs.
“There are different kinds of educational hubs and townships in the state. Some co-exist with residential and commercial spaces while some others have exclusive townships. We will hold meetings with educational institution heads for a co-ordinated effort to enhance security. These educational institutions have their own set of security guards and some even have night patrolling units. Still, we need a co-ordinated beat system so that students feel safe to move around the campus,” Pachuau said.
The KMC student in Manipal was returning from the campus library at night when she was allegedly abducted by three men in an autorickshaw.
The DG&IGP said that a separate review will be conducted in regard to the Manipal campus incident. “Unlike other campuses, Manipal is an educational hub with medical, engineering, nursing and even research institutes. This apart, Manipal has a separate police station. We will separately hold review on the security lapses in Manipal incident and take necessary action,” Pachuau said.
Like Manipal, Jnana Bharathi also has a police station on the campus, but this did not deter the brutal attacks.
The Bangalore University finally decided to step up security on the campus after the gangrape of a National Law School of India student on October 13 last year. Traumatised after the incident, the victim quit studies and returned to her home country.
The university administration enhanced private security and also formed a Syndicate sub-committee to review security in the campus.