Jadavpur University begins the installation of CCTV cameras

Rocked by Student’s death and mired in controversy, Jadavpur University has started the installation process of CCTV cameras, at important points, across the University and the Main Hostel Campus on Saturday. "The process of installation of CCTV cameras started from today. The cameras will be installed at all the important points including the main entry gates”, said Buddhadev Sau, Interim Vice-Chancellor, Jadavpur University.

The University authorities notified that 26 CCTV cameras have been installed in at 10 strategic points, across the university and hostel campus. Entrances of both Jadavpur University and the Main Hostel, the entry and exit points of the New Boys Hostel and the Girls Hostel have all been brought under CCTV surveillance.

JU Vice Chancellor has further stated that a team from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will visit the university to discuss the safety and security concerns, which also includes human surveillance. Moreover, the University has also written to a wing of the defense ministry asking them to deploy ex-servicemen across the campus.  

The death of the 17 year old minor to alleged ragging and sexual harassment on August 10 has brought spotlight on absence of CCTV both inside the Jadavpur University Campus and Main Hostel. The university has garnered its share of public outrage, owing to the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities, a rebellious student body, and most importantly due to the absence of CCTV cameras across the campus, which as per the UGC guidelines is mandatory. The guidelines state, “CCTV cameras with a centralized monitoring system should be installed to keep a track of the conduct and activities of students, staff members and visitors in all public spaces on campus such as streets, playgrounds, libraries, sport arenas and parking lots.”  In addition, the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights in their report accused the university authorities for its lapse on not installing CCTV cameras inside the campus.