9 days after violence, BHU reopens amid tight security
MEASURES Police personnel deployed in plain clothes check vehicles to maintain peace VARANASI:
Nine days after violence and cane-charge 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 strict vigil would be maintained on the campus.
“Strict action will be initiated if anybody tries to disturb peace at the university,” 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 lathi-charge on students on September 23.
The judicial committee constituted by the BHU administration to look into the violence and baton-charging on students, began 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 evening to chalk out security plan on the campus.
The SSP said policemen in plain clothes would be deployed at the 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 the 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 the cops it would not be possible for her to identify the suspects.
The complainant had alleged that two men on motorcycles molested her when she was returning to her hostel on September 21.
The then proctor allegedly ignored her complaint and the VC drew flak for saying that girls should not go out of the hostel during the night.
In its probe report, a two-member committee headed by divisional commissioner Nitin Ramesh Gokarn blamed the BHU VC for mishandling the protest after the incident of sexual harassment.
Meanwhile, BHU vice-chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi has 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.
“The V-C left for his home in Allahabad on Sunday morning. After fasting for nine days during Navratra, he breaks his fast at his home. He is most likely to return by late Monday night,” the BHU spokesman said.