Govt Medical College restriction troubles morning walkers

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 18

The authorities concerned at the Government Medical College (GMC) have come up with entry restrictions for visitors for the security of the students. Officials said that due to several instances of misbehaviour with female students by outsiders, a demand for enhancing security was repeatedly being made by the students and doctors.

As per the new decision, of the seven gates, three will remain closed round the clock. At the remaining four gates, visitors will be allowed entry only after proper checking. The students’ hostel and academic area has also been made out of bounds for outsiders.

The college authorities, in an order issued recently, have also banned the entry of outsiders to the sports ground on the campus as it is near the girls’ hostel. Though the decision has been taken keeping in view the security of students, it has irked morning walkers who visit the ground in substantial numbers every morning.

“The city does not have many sports grounds. It is the only place where people have been coming. Where will people go now?” asked Sunita Sharma, a daily visitor.

Residents of the nearby localities of the college too have been visiting the place for years. They feel that the decision is harsh. “The authorities could have devised some other way, like issuing of passes to people most of whom would also be ready to pay a nominal fee as is being charged by Guru Nanak Dev University,” said another visitor, Kewal Kumar.

The lack of green space in the city is a problem for fitness enthusiasts. “Walking on roads is a different thing and walking on paths with trees on both sides is different. The college area is the only place in this part where greenery is left,” said an elderly, Ram Dutt, adding that elderly and women do not pose threat to safety of students, so they should be allowed.