Kolkata Law College Enhances Campus Security with Former Military Personnel Following Student Gang Rape
Kolkata, West Bengal
In a pivotal step towards improving campus safety, South Calcutta Law College has declared its intention to employ former military personnel for security duties, replacing the current private guards. This significant action follows a distressing gang rape incident involving a student on the college grounds last month, which reverberated throughout the nation and underscored serious deficiencies in campus security.
The decision, reached during a meeting of the college’s governing body, seeks to establish a “foolproof” security system. In addition to substituting the existing private security personnel with seasoned Army veterans, the college plans to increase the number of CCTV cameras installed throughout the campus. Moreover, the internal complaints committee, vital for addressing student concerns and fostering a safe environment, will be considerably reinforced.
The alleged gang rape, which implicated a former contractual staff member and student leader, Monojit Mishra, along with two current students and a security guard, revealed significant weaknesses in the college’s security infrastructure. Concerns have been raised regarding the hiring of contractual staff with prior complaints and the overall negligence that permitted such a tragic event to transpire. The security guard involved has also been arrested, with investigations uncovering his dereliction of duty.
This incident has sparked broader conversations about campus safety in West Bengal. The Calcutta High Court has intervened, instructing universities and colleges throughout the state to secure students’ union rooms, which have often been criticized as hotspots for unauthorized activities. Additionally, the Kolkata Police Commissioner has issued orders to keep a close watch on students with multiple FIRs against them, aiming to avert the recurrence of such incidents.
