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Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on August 27, 2023
Jadavpur University to install 26 CCTV cameras on its campus
Student leaders say CCTVs not enough to curb ragging, need more security
Students’ Federation of India Rudra Chattopadhyay said, “No camera will be effective in stopping ragging. (Express File Photo)
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Jadavpur University to install 26 CCTV cameras on its campus
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Jadavpur University (JU) has started the process of installing 26 CCTV cameras on its campus, the varsity’s interim vice-chancellor Buddhadeb Sau said on Saturday. The move comes after the death of a 17-year-old undergraduate student on August 10 following his alleged fall from a second-storey hostel balcony. His family has alleged that he was being ragged.
So far, police have arrested 13 people, all current students or former students of Jadavpur University, in connection with the death. While 12 – six current students and six former students – have been booked for murder and ragging, a 2021 graduate has been booked for allegedly obstructing police from carrying out their duty.
The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights had also accused the university authorities for a lapse in not installing CCTV cameras inside the campus.
According to authorities, 21 bullet and five automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed. To set up these cameras, the university would be spending over Rs 37 lakh, they added. “The process of installation of CCTV cameras started today. The cameras will be installed at all the important points including the main entry gates,” Sau told reporters. Jadavpur University has five gates
“The cameras to be installed at the university campus will be controlled by artificial intelligence technology,” they said. The ANPR cameras will mainly be installed at the gates of the university. These cameras can automatically scan a car or motorcycle’s licence plate as they enter the campus.
Authorities plan on installing an ANPR camera at Gate number 4 and 5. The authorities would also be setting up 11 CCTV cameras and three ANPR cameras in hostels. The university has also taken the decision to install two cameras in the boys hostel at JU’s second campus.
The Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), ruling Trinamool Congress’ student wing, said installing CCTV cameras alone isn’t enough and the authorities should increase security on the campus. TMCP chairman Sanjeev Pramanik said, “What will happen with these 26 cameras? Not just gates, CCTV cameras should also be installed on the roads leading up to the campus. We want more security.”
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Students’ Federation of India Rudra Chattopadhyay said, “No camera will be effective in stopping ragging. Even if more than 26 cameras are installed on the campus or corridors, it may be possible to prevent intoxication, but not ragging.”
Reacting to the remarks made by student leaders, Sau said, “Students come here to study. How a CCTV camera works is taught here in engineering. They can’t understand it without being taught (about the process).”
Meanwhile, the varsity registrar has submitted a report to Jadavpur police station regarding the presence of an alleged human rights activist group dressed in army fatigues on the campus last Thursday.
– With PTI inputs
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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