BHU reopens amid tight security
MEASURES Police deploy personnel in plain clothes, check vehicles
VARANASI: Nine days after violence and lathicharge on students protesting against an incident of sexual harassment, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) reopened after Dussehra break amid tight security on Tuesday.
Station officer of Lanka area Sanjeev Mishra said random checking of vehicles would be carried out and vigil would be maintained on campus. “Strict action will be initiated if anybody tries to disturb peace,” he said.
“I wish peace and normalcy returns at BHU as soon as possible. We are here for studies and any controversy affects students the most,” a student told HT.
Sources said some organisations could hold protests against the lathicharge on students on September 23. The judicial committee constituted by BHU administration to look into the violence and baton-charging began its probe on Monday.
The committee is headed by retired judge of the Allahabad high court, justice VK Dikshit.
DM Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and SSP RK Bhardwaj held a meeting with BHU registrar Neeraj Tripathi, chief proctor Prof Royana Singh, and dean (students’ welfare) Prof MK Singh on Monday to chalk out security plan on the campus.
The SSP said policemen in plain clothes would be deployed at university gates. “Random checking of vehicles will be carried out. Sleuths of intelligence agencies and women cops will also be deployed,” he said. Three quick response teams (QRTs) of university guards will also patrol the campus. As many as 30 surveillance cameras have been installed as part of the security drill. Halogen lights were installed at 15 locations on roads leading to girls’ hostels.
A police team also met the hosteller on Monday who had lodged a complaint of sexual harassment. The police asked the complainant about the details of the accused. She reportedly told cops it would not be possible for her to identify the suspects.
Meanwhile, BHU vice-chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi left for his home citing “personal reasons”, triggering a buzz that his leave could be indefinite. The university administration, however, said he would be back after Dussehra holidays.
Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday also confirmed that Tripathi has proceeded on leave. “The university has received his application and they have confirmed that he is on indefinite leave,” he said.