Fearing group clash on campus,MSU to introduce night security

Election for the posts of University General Secretary,Vice-President,15 Faculty General Secretaries and several posts of Faculty representatives will be held on August 23. The ongoing power-play has already resulted in one incident of violence between groups of boys who identify themselves according to their regional origins — Rajasthan and Bihar. The clash took place outside the MM Hall of the boys hostel that is currently being occupied by the Rajasthan group on Thursday night. The recent clash has pressed the administration’s panic button,leading to the decision. The vigilance committee,along with the security committee,has now instructed wardens of the boys’ hostels to be extremely cautious during the night hours,when meeting between regional groups are held to negotiate benefits with the contesting groups in return for support and votes.

“We know that the election activity,particularly the bargaining and negotiations for support and monetary gains in return for votes,are held during the night. Although these two groups do not contest the elections,they want to play the role of kingmakers. They negotiate with all interested groups and move to the side that gives them the maximum benefit. The race for power between these boys from Rajasthan and Bihar resulted in the incident of violence on the campus,” said an official.

Members of the University management fear that such incidents,in which students are threatened to pledge their support to one or the other group,could take an ugly turn if not checked in time. Security personnel will continue to keep vigil around the boys’ hostels and other key areas of the university to avoid violence,particularly during nights.

The key contenders in this election are the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). However,the recent split in ABVP,where an elected member formed his own outfit,Vidyarthi Vikash Sangh (VVS),is expected to dent the votes of ABVP.

A students’ union member said,“The VVS leader cannot contest this year because he has already won last year. However,his hold over the polytechnic section is strong and he might eat into the votes of ABVP.”