Syndicate to take up PU molestation case
Meet tomorrow; need for CCTVs at sensitive points: PUTA chief
Naina Mishra
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 11
The Syndicate will take up the incident of molestation of a woman journalist at Panjab University’s botanical garden in its meeting to be held on Friday.
University to light up garden
Panjab University has deliberated upon three important measures to address the issue. PU Registrar Prof Karamjeet Singh said, “We will install lights in the garden so as to prevent such incidents. Secondly, we are mulling to install a CCTV camera at the entry point of the gate. Installing cameras inside the garden will not be technically feasible. Thirdly, we will heighten the boundary wall to prevent trespassing from the jungle side.”
On being asked whether restricting the timings of the garden will address the issue, Singh said, “This is an interim measure before all safety arrangements are in place.”
Prof Rajesh Gill, PUTA president and a member of the Syndicate, said, “This is an important issue and will be discussed in the Syndicate. The horrifying incident has sent shivers down the spine. God has been kind that she could save herself. We will point out what the university can do to ensure women safety. The police cannot be deployed everywhere, but the university has to be made a safe haven for women.”
Gill said, “The vicinity of the campus should be under surveillance. We have not been able to catch hold of the culprit. There is a need to install CCTVs at sensitive locations.”
Prof Navdeep Goyal, who heads majority in the Syndicate and the Senate, said, “We will definitely take up this issue in the Syndicate and Senate meeting. It was in the same place last year, a similar incident occurred, following which the Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) had sent recommendations. It will be pointed out in the meeting as to what steps were taken by the university after the recommendation was sent.”
Prof Rajat Sandhir, a member of the PUCASH, said, “It was recommended in the previous incident to heighten the boundary wall of the garden. The wall was raised from one side only. Also, there was no guard outside the garden in the present case. We will discuss all these issues in both Syndicate and Senate meetings.”
Need more security: PUCSC president
Chetan Chaudhary, president of the the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC), said, “We have been demanding more security personnel for a long time, but our demand has fallen on deaf ears. There are many places, which are unsafe at the PU. Last year, a harassment incident took place in the botanical garden after which we demanded installation of CCTV cameras. Another such case has repeated. PU authorities should wake up now.”
Helpline delayed, says Kanupriya
Kanupriya, former president, PUCSC, said, “We had recommended launching a helpline number to cater to students’ problems, but there has been no response from officials. There is a 10-digit security number, but not many students are aware about it.”
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