'Don't succumb to fear'

A large section of the City’s North-Eastern community comprises students and for them, the current scenario of doubt and fear is especially stressful.

Several of these students live away from their families, on their college premises, and the rumours and worrying prophecies floating around are alarming both for them as well as their families back home.

Metrolife speaks to different college managements to find out how they’re keeping up the morale of those who have stayed back. Mount Carmel principal Sister Juanita addressed all the students from the North-East on campus in an emergency meeting in the auditorium on Thursday morning and had the Cubbon Park Police Station inspector talk to the students as well.

“A couple of students were scared and wanted to go back home. But we have temporarily accommodated a few students in our hostels for about three or four days. I have asked the hostelites to make room for these students and food is no problem at all,” she says and adds, “About 200 of them had assembled in the auditorium. Those in fear are always welcome to stay on campus.”

Gururaj, the principal of Acharya PU College, has gone out of his way to reassure his students of the baselessness of these rumours. He says, “I met all the North-Eastern students of my college and advised them not to panic. I told them to take these warnings with a pinch of salt and not to succumb to fear. But still, I told them to take some precautionary measures, like not travelling too late,” he says, adding, “I’ve also told the students to keep me updated about any untoward accident. These are the preliminary measures I’ve taken from my side.”

Sister Louisa, the principal of Jyoti Nivas College PU College, has also asked her students to remain calm — but has allowed those who are very concerned to go home. “I met with the students and their guardians and told them that if they feel threatened, the college is there to support them. Some were feeling very anxious, so I told them they could go back to their hometowns. Others live in Bangalore, but have asked whether they can be allowed to not attend college for a few days. Since the reason is quite serious, we have allowed this,” she says.

Pratima Prabhakar, the principal of CMR Law School, points out they have about 15 per cent of their students are from the North-East. “The numbers have dwindled. The biggest advantage is that we have the hostel on campus and the security is quite good so the students have nothing to fear. We have asked our North-Eastern students not to panic and stay on campus as much as possible. And we have assured their worried parents back home as well,” says Pratima.    

Kristu Jayanti College has about 100 students from the North East. On Thursday morning, the teachers had a lot of students come and ask for leave to go back home. The management didn’t pay heed to their request — instead, they took time off to address the students. “We checked with the jurisdictional police and we understand that the panic has been caused by some rumours. Instead of granting leave, we have done everything possible to calm down our students,” says Principal Sebastian T A.