Security forces to camp in 24 colleges for 8 days

While this arrangement is made every year in the month of Ramzan,sources said the colleges this time may remain closed for a long period in view of the high court judgment over the disputed site at Ayodhya expected in September.

In an order,District Magistrate Anil Kumar Sagar has said the forces could stay in these colleges from August 28 to September 4.

Besides,a mini-stadium at Talkatora would also be required for the forces from August 30 to September 2. Sources said the paramilitary forces would stay in these 24 colleges while the Rapid Action Force personnel would be accommodated in the mini-stadium.

“ Since there is a plan to deploy the forces in Old City area in the second and third weeks of September,when the HC verdict is expected,the colleges may not be vacated after September 4,” said an official.

The DM,however,said separate forces would be deployed for the verdict and these forces would be smaller in number in comparison to those being called for the upcoming festivals.

Most of the institutions covered by the DM’s order — 12 degree and 12 intermediate colleges — are either for girls or co-educational colleges.

Although the order does not say the classes should not be held,most college managements have decided to close the institutions while security forces camp there.

Neeranjali Sinha,principal of the Gurunanak Degree College at Naka,said that under these circumstances,she cannot think of running her college,a girls’’ college,during this period.

Vishwanath Mishra,principal of the Kalicharan Degree College,a co-educational college,said though the closure would affect the admission process,they had no other option.

Though Nari Siksha Niketan,Kaiserbagh is among the institutions covered in the DM order,college principal Sandhya Singh said she has not received any order. “We can’t hold classes if the security forces stay here,” she said.