Kolkata Police Requests Space for Campus Outpost at JU Amid Ongoing Tensions
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Synopsis
The Kolkata Police has requested space at Jadavpur University to set up a police outpost amid rising tensions following campus disturbances. While university authorities have received the request, no decisions have been made. Resistance is expected from students and faculty alike.
Key Takeaways
- Kolkata Police seeks to establish a police outpost at Jadavpur University.
- University authorities have not yet made a decision.
- Resistance expected from students and faculty.
- Concerns raised about surveillance over student protests.
- Disturbances began due to a confrontation involving State Education Minister.
Kolkata, March 12 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing turmoil and strife at Kolkata's Jadavpur University following the disturbances on March 1, the Kolkata Police formally approached university officials on Wednesday, requesting permission to establish a police outpost on campus.
University representatives have acknowledged receiving this request from the city police; however, they emphasized that no decision regarding the establishment of a police outpost has been finalized at this time.
Nevertheless, insiders at JU have pointed out that actualizing the proposal for a police outpost on campus is likely to encounter significant challenges since the responsibility for maintaining order lies primarily with the university's administration.
"This is why educational institutions typically strive to limit police presence on campus as much as possible. Consequently, any move to establish police outposts within the university is expected to meet resistance not only from students but also from certain faculty members," remarked a faculty member from Jadavpur University, who wished to remain anonymous.
Already, the Students' Federation of India (SFI), affiliated with the CPI-M, has voiced their opposition to the city police's proposal for a police outpost on the Jadavpur University grounds.
According to SFI's State Secretary Debanjan Dey, instead of addressing the threats posed by outsiders, the police appear intent on keeping the students under surveillance.
"We are concerned that the proposed police outpost aims to perpetuate the existing tensions rather than alleviate them. This seems to be the underlying motive of the state administration," Dey expressed.
Disruptions occurred within the Jadavpur University campus when the car of State Education Minister Bratya Basu was reportedly halted upon entering the campus, leading to a subsequent altercation.
Students were calling for the immediate election of the university's student council.
The protesting students alleged that as Minister Basu attempted to exit the campus amid the protests, his vehicle deliberately struck two demonstrators, causing serious injuries that required hospitalization.
During the protests, the Minister sustained minor injuries and fell ill, necessitating his transfer to the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital, where he was later discharged.
