Security concerns for students

Lurking dangers in and around prominent colleges in the City have raised fear in the minds of many college students. Even in broad daylight, students are concerned and worried. Metrolife talks to students from colleges which are located in unsafe pockets to find out what problems they face.

Take the instance of Ridaa Saiyed, a communication student from The Oxford College of Arts in HSR Layout, who says that she feels unsafe in and around college. “The most dangerous time is between 2 and 4 pm, when we are leaving the college premises. It is so unsafe that no one goes out alone. There are many instances of eve-teasing that take place near college. We were warned about such incidents by our seniors and were told to go around in groups,” she explains. “However, we have not approached any higher authority. It is really scary. There always has to be someone with you,” she adds.

She narrates an incident which took place around six months ago — she and a couple of other friends were walking to the bus stop when a couple of boys on a bike behaved inappropriately.

“Even though there were people in the playground nearby, nobody came to help us,” she rues.

Nishmitha Poonacha, another student from the same college, also says that they always move around in groups. “I have never seen any policemen in the area. Plus, with there being hardly any autos near college, we have to walk quite a distance,” she complains.

However, Sharada Ajit, principal of The Oxford College of Arts, says, “The security provided by the college is very good. We have told students not to wear any valuables. We also encourage students to come and share their experiences with the mentors here.”

Go over to Garden City College in KR Puram and students share similar experiences. “There has always been a security problem in the area. We were always in fear and were constantly hearing rumours about incidents. It was really risky to go out,” recalls Arpita (name changed on request), who recently graduated from the college. “College was a scary experience,” she adds. But the college official has his own take on safety. “We take regular feedback from the students. We also have an activity-monitoring team, which includes faculty members and vigilance officers who keep track of what happens around the area (up to a 500-metre radius from the college). They keep us updated and report any incident to the college or if necessary, to the police,” says Thomson Thomas, assistant director of placements at Garden City College. He adds that there should be no reason for concern for students. “It’s probably because students are not told about all these measures that they feel unsafe,” he says.

Prutha N Raj, a Masters student at Bangalore University (BU), Jnanabharathi Campus, says, “It’s not safe to be alone here. The campus is such that nothing can be done about it.”

S Anusha, a first-year MSc student at BU, says that even though there are policemen who patrol the area, they don’t feel safe. “It’s really of no use, especially since there are no restrictions — anyone can enter,” she explains.

RH Swathi, her classmate, agrees with her. “It was after the National Law School incident that we realised that this is not a secure place and have gotten worried. We have also been warned by our seniors not to go around alone,” she says, adding, “plus, there is no network in the area, which makes it all the more unsafe as you can’t call anyone when you are in danger.”

The vice-chancellor of Bangalore University, B Thimme Gowda, says that they have and will be taking further precautionary measures. “Especially after the incident involving a student from Manipal, I will be writing to the police commissioner, requesting
patrolling by Hoysala team around the campus. We are also in the process of installing CCTV at places which have been identified as unsafe by the police,” he explains, adding that the university is also planning on raising the height of the compound wall of the ladies’ hostel and fixing wires over it.