Jagannath University (JnU) is grappling with theft issues and therefore, security concerns have arisen again. Due to insufficient number of security personnel, these thefts have not been stopped yet.
Besides, the initiative of the university administration seems to have always come to an end after forming an investigation committee after each theft.
Currently 18 security personnel are engaged in overall security of JnU. Among the security personnel, 18 people work in three shifts, that is six people are responsible for the security of the entire university in one shift. Out of this, two personnel perform regular duties at the main gate and one at the second gate.
The remaining three people run the security of the entire campus including the new academic building, art building, science building, and administrative building.
According to information, last year someone cut the grill of the new academic building and stole from the washroom of the female student common room and transport office. At the same time, an attempt was made to steal from the washroom of the teachers' association.
A thief drove a theft into the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), one of the most important offices of the university, after CCTV and the glass and door of the cell was broken. A case was filed in this regard at Kotwali police station.
There have been incidents of theft of bicycles, motorcycle oil and helmets and even motorcycles in the university garage. A thief was caught red-handed by the security personnel of the university while cutting the grill of the boundary wall of the campus.
Stealing shoes from the central mosque has become a common incident. Then last October at the second gate of the university, a snatcher snatched a student's mobile phone at noon. Out of the minimum 102 security guards required by the university, there are only 18, that is about a shortage of 80 percent of the security guards, run the university security activities.
The third gate of the university has been closed ever since the renovation, mainly because of the shortage of security guards. There are not enough security guards to control the entry of outsiders to ensure the necessary security of the buildings.
Several security personnel who did not wish to be named said that they work for eight hours without a break and there is little opportunity to sit down. Where six security personnel are required, they provide one security personnel. They want to see more personnel for security across campus.
Proctor of the university Prof. Dr. Mostafa Kamal said, “we have written to the UGC regarding the appointment of 54 security personnel. We need a lot of security personnel for our second campus and halls. We have a shortage of security personnel.”
“We take police assistance in special cases. In the case of theft, we file a GD at the police station. The University administration cooperates with the police to take necessary measures”, he added.