Cops ignored security requests, says school

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 18

The tragic incident that led to the death of a Class XI student of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 7, could have been averted had the police administration acted on the repeated requests made by the school management for beefing up security outside the school.

The school management was worried about the security of students as brawls and eve-teasing had become a routine affair in front of the school. Even parents of girls had complained to the school management to provide security outside the school for the safety of their wards.

Dr Satish Sharma, Principal of the school, said they had written to the DGP, Haryana, to provide security near the school as outsiders could be seen trying to befriend girls after the school hours. He said this created a bad impression on the minds of girls, who either asked their parents to come to receive them or left the school. He said he had urged the DGP to post women constables near the school to instil confidence among the girl students during the school opening and closing hours. 

Dr Sharma said two months ago, they had written to the Sector 7 police chowki to provide PCR vans near the school as anti-social elements could be seen roaming near the school. He said there was always a fear of violence near the school as earlier brawls between students and outsiders had occurred there. “Had the police taken action on our requests, a precious life could have been saved,” he said.

DCP Abhishek Jorwal said it was not possible to provide security to every school due to a shortage of staff. He said they had already provided a police patrol party, which was stationed near schools during the opening and closing hours. He said the school managements should also take responsibility of providing security to students by appointing guards.