NBU security steps

TT, Siliguri, Aug. 25: The North Bengal University has formed a seven-member committee to recommend measures for upgrading security on campus following an incident of molestation of a PhD research scholar on August 15.

University officials said the committee comprised representatives of teachers, employees, students and research scholars. "There are seven members on the committee with the registrar as its convener. Among others are the security officer, secretaries of the students' union, research scholars' association and two employees' associations of the university. We have been asked to suggest steps that can be implemented immediately as well as in the long run for tightening the security system on the premises. The authorities have sought the recommendations within the next fortnight," said a varsity official who is a member of the committee.

On August 15, a PhD scholar was molested by a man, who was on a bike and wearing a helmet. The incident had occurred near the physics department.

Although it was a holiday, the research scholar, along with two other women researchers, was returning to the hostel after working in their department. Varsity authorities had filed a complaint at Matigara police station. Students had stopped classes the next day, saying the university should seal the gaps in its boundary wall, deploy more guards and instal more CCTV cameras.

Today, varsity officials said the first meeting of the committee was held yesterday where feasibility of implementing security mechanisms were discussed. "We discussed whether additional guards can be deployed through a private security agency.... We have discussed locations where CCTV cameras should be installed," an official said.