Kolkata: Sixty security personnel operational in three shifts, including 15 at night, stay on guard on the sprawling 58-acre Jadavpur University campus protecting around 15,000 students, teachers and staffers. The events in the early hours of Thursday showed that it’s practically impossible for 15 personnel, including ex-servicemen, to resist a violent mob from barging into the campus.Around 100-150 people, allegedly right-wing activists and goons, broke gate number 4 of JU and barged into the campus around 12.30 am. They rampaged the campus, burned flags, chased students, abused and terrorised them for three hours. They also attacked the JU Main Hostel and tried to break the gate.JU had deployed 30 ex-servicemen on the campus to ramp up their security at a cost of Rs 9 lakh, which is paid by the state govt. There are around 55 security guards but on any given day, 30 are on duty as there are day-offs and leaves. JU recently installed 50 CCTV cameras on its main campus and 20 on Salt Lake Campus after high court prod. Twenty-nine CCTV cameras were earlier installed at strategic entry and exit points, including hostels, in 2023 after a ragging case.Registrar Selim Box Mandal said, “At night, there are 15 security personnel, including ex-servicemen at 8-10 spots. Considering the vastness of the campus, it is impossible to secure the campus with only security guards. Mob and vandalism cannot be tackled by security personnel at gates.” An ex-serviceman said, “We closed the gate apprehending the tense situation but when 100 to 150 people arrived with sticks to break open the gate, we were helpless.”On Thursday afternoon, students were in palpable fear as they repeatedly urged the guards to close the gates. “After a night of vandalism, we expected that the security would be tightened but there has been no proactiveness on the part of the authorities. None of them responded to our calls. We dialed 100 and then the police arrived, though late on Thursday,” said a student. Students also alleged that they desperately wanted to meet VC on Thursday but couldn’t. Though, the VC in an WhatsApp message later assured all stakeholders that any security lapse on the part of JU will also be probed by a committee and proper corrective action(s) will be taken.JUTA president Partha Pratim Ray also echoed the same sentiment. “When an outsider mob attacks the campus, things are out of control of security guards. In the interest of maintaining a healthy environment for education and research, the internal security of all stakeholders must be ensured.” JUTA will observe casework for half day on Friday.ABRSM secretary Bhaskar Sardar said, “The incident highlights that the existing measures are inadequate. We demand the authorities to undertake a thorough review of the security. We also request the university to review its present stand on the establishment of a permanent police outpost within the campus.”Goutam Maity from ABUTA, JU local chapter, said, “The inactive and irresponsible role of the administration has further heightened our concern. Even though the incident went on for a long time, the VC, Pro-VC, and registrar were nowhere to be seen. The security personnel also played no active role in bringing the situation under control.”
