National   

Security beefed up at Visva Bharati

Kolkata: The murder of third-year student Saswati Pal, who was shot dead inside a ladies’ hostel within the campus of Visva Bharati University in Santiniketan on Sunday, has brought to light several lacunae in the security arrangements there, the State Home Secretary, Prasad Ranjan Ray, said here on Monday.

The police have been directed to take steps to arrange for better security in the ladies’ hostels of the university and ensure intensive patrolling within the campus, he added.

A report into the incident has been sought from the police authorities of the district, Mr Ray said. “That such an incident can happen surprises us all,” he remarked.

The Governor, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, visited the university in the afternoon where he spoke to students and reportedly discussed security arrangements on the campus with the authorities.

“The most abiding tribute that can be paid to the memory of Saswati would be for all concerned to put together their thoughts on how to prevent crime, be it sophisticated theft or murder in what is meant to be an Abode of Peace,” Mr Gandhi said in a statement issued here late on Sunday evening.

A silent procession was taken out by students, university teachers and employees on the Visva Bharati campus to mourn the death. Classes were not held. A section of the students was aggrieved over the failure of the authorities to ensure adequate security within the campus. There should have been some arrangements whereby outsiders cannot enter the hostels without proper authorisation, Mr Ray pointed out.

The Calcutta University authorities are taking steps to beef up security on its campuses and outside its hostels in the wake of the incident in Visva Bharati University, a Calcutta University official said. The police will be requested to step up their vigilance, he added.

Also of concern to the State Government “from the police point of view as well as the security point of view” is the theft of the service revolver of a constable from the Tollygunge thana here, Mr Ray said. The assailant, Amaresh Kundu, had fired from the revolver and later shot himself. He succumbed to his injuries later on Sunday night.

Show-cause notices have been served to three policemen of the thana including its officer-in-charge to explain the theft of the revolver, a senior city police official said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Farmers’ issues: UNPA keen on Left support
Security beefed up at Visva Bharati
A boost to supply of ethanol
S. K. Agrawal dead
It’s Mayawati’s prerogative: Congress
Man tied to jeep, dragged for 2 km for theft
Mumbai suburbs still tense
No move to sideline Brahmins: Mayawati
Speculation over CBI report in Rizwanur case
Nagaland protest today
Vinod Rai takes over as CAG
Across cultures
CBI report in Rizwanur case today
Notice to Centre on PIL for total sanitation

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu