JU crisis: Police outpost proposal on campus faces uncertainty as faculty backs student opposition

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kolkata, March 20 (IANS) The proposal by Kolkata Police to set up a police outpost on the campus of Jadavpur University (JU) faces fresh uncertainty as a large section of the faculty has joined students in opposing the move.

The Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA) on Thursday rejected the proposal, arguing it contradicts the institution’s legacy. Echoing student concerns, JUTA claimed that the police outpost aims to maintain constant surveillance on campus.

Political observers believe that with faculty members siding with students, it will be difficult for the university administration to approve the proposal.

Earlier, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), vowed to resist the setting up of an outpost. “We believe the outpost is intended to perpetuate tension rather than resolve it. This is the true motive of the state administration,” said SFI West Bengal state secretary Debanjan Dey.

What has created additional pressure on the administrative management of the university on this issue is a loaded statement by Governor C.V. Ananda Bose last week, when he clearly said that he would not remain silent if the police move violated the existing legal framework in the matter.

“It is for the university authorities to decide, but their decision must comply with existing rules. If irregularities occur, I will intervene as Chancellor of the university,” he had said.

The proposal for a police outpost was mooted after a clash that broke out within the university campus in the first week of this month when the State Education Minister Bratya Basu’s car was allegedly stopped after it entered the campus, and a scuffle followed.

The students were demanding immediate elections for the university’s students’ council.

The protesting students alleged that while Basu decided to leave the campus in the face of the protests, his vehicle deliberately hit two agitating students, in which they were severely injured and had to be hospitalized.

Amid the protests, the Minister received minor injuries. He was taken to the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital and was discharged later.

–IANS

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Tripura CM warns of strict action against those aiding insurgency

Agartala, Feb 12 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday issued a stern warning, stating that no one would be spared if found spreading and abetting insurgency in the state once again.

After laying the foundation stone and inaugurating several developmental projects worth Rs 40.58 crore, the Chief Minister said that strict action would be taken against those who are found aiding and abetting in the spread of insurgency.

“I am aware that some people are attempting to reintroduce insurgency in Tripura. So, I am warning them, this time, no one will be spared if such attempts are made again. We have all the necessary information. It has taken immense effort to establish peace in the state, and we want comprehensive development at all levels,” said Saha, who holds the Home portfolio.

The Chief Minister further claimed that during the communist era, Tripura witnessed anarchy. “We aim to create a healthy environment in Tripura. The state has now positioned itself as one of the best-performing states in the northeastern region. The government has also prioritised the socio-economic upliftment of women,” he said.

Saha virtually laid foundation stones at a function in West Tripura’s Jirania for several motor stands and transport offices in different parts of the state and inaugurated the Integrated Parking Complex at Puran Bazar in Khowai District.

He said, “Today’s foundation stone laying and the inauguration of various development projects have marked a new milestone, not just in the history of the Transport Department but also in the history of the state.” “Since Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime Minister in 2014, he has given special focus to the development of the northeast through the ‘Act East Policy’. The scale of development being witnessed in the northeast was never seen before. Tripura is also progressing in line with that vision.”

He said that the Transport department’s current management would benefit vehicle owners, drivers, and passengers, unlike in the past.

“We are reaching out to people through our work. The Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasised that there is no substitute for work. He has given us the HIRA (Highways, Internet, Railway and Airways) model. The PM is also providing financial assistance for railway modernisation. Due to the efforts of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, about 12 MoUs have been signed with many organisations and militant outfits in northeastern states, ensuring peace in the entire region. Today, Tripura is free from extremism,” Saha pointed out.

Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and several other leaders and officials attended the event.

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Delhi CM Gupta, Parvesh Verma pay tributes to late Sahib Singh Verma on birth anniversary

New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister Parvesh Verma paid homage to former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma on his birth anniversary on Saturday.

Verma also conducted a ‘havan’ during a prayer meet of his late father Sahib Singh Verma.

The event saw the presence of several leaders from the Delhi BJP unit, including Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, Mohan Singh Bisth etc, who paid homage to the late leader.

Sahib Singh Verma, born on March 15, 1943 in a family of farmers in Mundka village, Delhi, began his political journey as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker.

He was first elected to the Delhi Municipal Corporation on a Janata Party ticket in 1977 and later became the Chief Minister of Delhi in 1996, serving for over two-and-a-half years.

Speaking at the prayer meet, CM Rekha Gupta reminisced about her association with Sahib Singh Verma and the impact he had on Delhi’s political landscape.

“I feel fortunate to continue the work he left behind. Our responsibility is to take Delhi forward from here,” she said.

Gupta also recalled a personal memory, mentioning how Sahib Singh Verma had called to congratulate her when she was elected as the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) President.

“Today, his daughter is the Chief Minister and his son (Parvesh Verma) is a Minister. It could have been the other way around, but it is all the same. In our culture, elder sisters are given the first chance. We promise to work together to fulfil the dreams Sahib Singh Verma had envisioned for Delhi,” she added.

Earlier in the day, CM Rekha Gupta took to X to pay tribute to the late Chief Minister.

“Tributes to former Delhi Chief Minister late Sahib Singh Verma on his birth anniversary. His contribution to the service of Delhi and the nation will always be inspiring. He gave a new direction to society with his determination, hard work, and public welfare policies. His dedicated life will continue to inspire us to serve the people and work in national interest,” she posted.

Parvesh Verma, who has emerged as a key political figure in Delhi, vowed to fulfil his father’s unfinished works and contribute to the city’s development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Verma made headlines and emerged as a “giant slayer” after securing a decisive victory over AAP National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi Assembly seat, defeating him by over 4,000 votes.

–IANS

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Three drown to death while bathing in Jharkhand’s Tiru Falls

Ranchi, Jan 17 (IANS) In a tragic incident that occurred on Friday afternoon at Tiru Falls in Ranchi, three youth lost their lives due to drowning, police officials said. Among the deceased, two were siblings.

The victims were identified as Ashish Kumar and Ankur Kumar, residents of Hehal in Ranchi city, and Deepak Giri, a resident of the Chanho police station area of Ranchi. Their age ranged between 20 and 25 years.

The trio had gone to Tiru Falls for a picnic along with a group of friends. While bathing in the falls, Ashish ventured into deep water and began to drown.

In an attempt to rescue him, Ankur and Deepak also went into deep water and got swept away.

People present at the site raised an alarm, and local divers rushed to help but were unable to save the youths.

The police from the Burmu police station arrived shortly after being informed and coordinated efforts to retrieve the bodies with the help of divers. The youths were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.

Ashish and Ankur Kumar were the sons of Padmalochan Das from Hehal, while Deepak Giri was the son of Ashok Giri from Karakat village under Chanho police station.

Reportedly, Ashish and Ankur had recently celebrated the purchase of a new car and decided to visit the falls with their friend Deepak.

The tragic incident has left the families devastated, with the atmosphere at the site turning somber as relatives arrived.

The bodies were sent to RIMS (Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences) for postmortem examination.

Tiru Falls, located in the Burmu police station area, is a popular picnic spot in Jharkhand, particularly from November to February a large number of people visit this place. However, the lack of adequate safety measures at the site poses a significant risk to visitors.

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