COPS ON DU CAMPUS AMP UP SECURITY, FUCHCHAS HAPPY
From street crime to ragging, anything can bring Delhi Police running if students press a button
The new session of Delhi University has started, and for the freshers — aka fuchchas — the biggest concern is not looking cool, but staying safe. Many colleges are running sensitisation workshops, orientations. etc., and the seniors are offering advice. What’s most reassuring for the students, especially to those new in Delhi, is the amped up security, thanks to the police patrols on North Campus and other colleges of DU and a crime-fighting app.
“We want everyone to be safe on campus. When I say everyone, I mean male, female and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and more) students,” says Nupur Prasad, DCP, North Delhi district, which includes North Campus. The steps include plainclothes patrols. The Delhi Police app, called Himmat Plus, is useful because it lets a user send a quick SOS in case of anything from street crime to ragging on the campus.
“The new batch has joined and special arrangements are in place to ensure security. We’ve deployed one male and one female constable at the entry gates of each college. In case of any problem, students can approach them right outside their gate,” says Prasad. “To keep tabs on miscreants, there are police personnel patrolling the campus. There’s an anti-ragging squad; a helpdesk; PCR vans; and motorbike patrols.”
Students are happy with all this. Namisha Khanna, firstyear student of Ramjas College, says, “I’m from Madhya Pradesh and was really worried about the security scene in the Capital. When I saw the police at the entry gate, I was quite relieved, honestly. I called up my parents and they were pleasantly surprised.”
Two PCR vans of women cops are also stationed at Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station and Patel Chest to assist students. Women cops also patrol on motorbikes.
In other colleges, cops have been informing students about helpline numbers and the Himmat Plus app. Madhur Verma, DCP, New Delhi, says, “We started our awareness programme from Jesus and Mary College and will take it to [other] colleges. We have a very helpful Himmat Plus app, and we’re briefing students on it.”
Ajay Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner, New Delhi, says, “With this app, they just have to send an SOS about unpleasant incidents like ragging. As soon as we get an SOS, the police will call back and track the location to help them on a priority basis.”
All the measures are making students go ‘wow’. Sakshi, a BA English (Hons) student, says, “We’ve heard a lot about the security situation in Delhi. But since we came, we’ve been attending a few sessions about police initiatives, and I’m like, ‘Wow! This is great. The police here are very approachable.’ It has put our fears to rest.”
Donal, another fresher, states, “After attending a few [police] sessions, I feel that I’m safer in Delhi than I was back in my hometown in Bihar. I’m gay and I see a lot of acceptance and security here.”
I’ve downloaded the [Himmat] app and have understood the procedure through the presentation. I hope it’ll work in times of distress. PURVA KAPOOR
STUDENT, J&M
The [police] programme was not just about the Himmat app; they also informed us about the help desk and other initiatives. MUSKAN KHARE
STUDENT, J&M
As soon as we get an SOS, the police will call back and track the location to help them on a priority basis. AJAY CHAUDHARY
JOINT COMMISSIONER