BHU constitutes 3 quick response teams to step up girls’ security

Newly-appointed Banaras Hindu University (BHU) chief proctor, Royana Singh constituted three quick response teams (QRTs) to enhance security and facilitate prompt response in case of complaint by students, especially girls.

The QRTs will patrol the campus every half an hour.

Over a week after violence and cane-charge on the girls staging protest against incident of sexual harassment, normalcy has returned to the BHU.

Security personnel are deployed on the campus even though most students have gone home for Dussehra holidays.

“We have constituted three QRTs. Each comprises four BHU proctorial board security guards and an in-charge. The teams will be the first one to rush to the spot as soon as they receive information about any complaint by students, especially girls,” Singh said.

The teams will move in four-wheelers. A proctorial board helpline number, 0542-2369134, will also be displayed on each vehicle. It is connected with a control room at the proctor’s office, Singh said.

“Students may call up the helpline number and lodge complaint. The QRTs will be on the spot within five minutes,” she said. “The teams will also carry out patrolling every half an hour, especially on roads leading to girls’ hostels.”

Three locations — near Mahila Mahavidyalay, the road leading to Triveni Girls’ Hostel from intersection near V-C residence and the road leading to Rani Laxmibai hostel — have been barricaded.

Singh said CCTV cameras are being installed at all important locations and high-power lights would be set up at various locations on the campus.

She has also sought the support of the district administration for enhancing security of girls on the premises. The district administration has deployed female police personnel on the campus. Moreover, BHU has also started the process to deploy female security guards.