Varsity wakes up to foolproof security; cops to conduct audit

The incidents of a security guard’s murder, theft of sandalwood trees and water taps from its washrooms and public toilets seem to have made the University of Pune (UoP) thoughtful. It has finally realised the need to revisit the security arrangements of its 411-acre sprawling campus. The UoP has, therefore, decided to go for a security audit of the university campus.

The UoP officials have sent a proposal to the Pune Police Commissionerate to visit the varsity campus and conduct a security audit. It is for the first time that police will conduct the security audit of the campus.

“We have sent an application to the Pune Police to conduct the security audit of our campus. They have accepted it and have agreed to conduct the security audit soon,” confirmed, Dr Narendra Kadu, Registrar, University of Pune.

The UoP’s decision must have been prompted by the murder of a security guard Pralhad Jogdand last year and other incidents like theft of sandalwood trees and water taps getting stolen frequently. Jogdand was shot dead by an unidentified youth on the campus on the night of May 3 last year. The youth had fired at Jogdand because Jogdand had caught him with a girl in the bushes near the servants quarters. The murder case hasn’t been solved to date.

Kadu said that a team of Pune Police would be coming to the university campus for the security audit and submit report to the UoP’s security office. “The police would also include certain directives for the varsity’s security in the report. Changes in the varsity’s security scene will be made following the directives,” he added. He said that the UoP’s security department, headed by security officer MS Kedari, has decided to make the campus security more foolproof and tight.

“This time, we have decided to appoint energetic and healthy security men,” said Kadu, adding that the existing security agency which is looking after the security of the campus, would be replaced and more efficient and energetic agency would be given the responsibility.

Speaking to dna, Kedari said that they currently have 120 CCTVs installed at the various places on the premises and they are expected to get additional 95 CCTV sets soon. He also said that the current responsibility of the campus security is given to Bricks Security Agency and they have currently 130 men guarding the university.

A police official from the Chatuhshrungi police station said that they randomly take rounds of the campus during night and they have found that the security is not up to the mark.