Drunk students in Pune varsity boys’ hostel disturb others, police called in

PUNE: Tension prevailed at the boys’ hostel number 9 inside Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) late on Saturday when some students got drunk and began shouting and creating a nuisance which disturbed others in the building.

Inspector Maya Devare of the Chatuhshrungi police station told TOI that a police team went to the hostel after the university officials called them.
“We questioned the students and found them in an inebriated condition. We spoke to all of them and let them off with a warning. The university officials told us that they would take action against the students after an inquiry,” Devare added.
The university’s administration said the process of suspension of one of the students was in process. The incident created some tension in the hostel till late in the night.
Registrar Prafulla Pawar said the security department of the university received a call at 11pm from a student stating that some students were drunk and were creating a nuisance in hostel number 9.
“On receiving this call, the security officers and the hostel in-charge went to the hostel room. They reported to me that the students were drunk and they had called the police. The process of suspending a student is going on. We will undertake a review of the security aspects of the hostel,” he added.
A student staying at the hostel said, “In the past too, such incidents have taken place and other students have been affected. The security of the hostel at SPPU has always been an issue.”
When the security guards arrived, the students who were drunk refused to open their room. “The security personnel tried to break down the door when they refused to open it at first. After a while, the students opened the door and the security personnel decided to call the police.”
The SPPU has taken steps to tighten the security of the campus. The administration has decided to issue a gate pass to every vehicle carrying goods inside the campus.
Pawar said, “Many vehicles enter the campus with goods required by the departments. Till now, such vehicles were not registered, but henceforth, this action will be undertaken to maintain security. The gate pass will be issued at the main gate. A notification will be issued soon.”
In 2018, around 60 guards — 50 men and 10 women — were given ‘special police officer’ power to strengthen the security on the university’s campus.
They were trained at the Range Police Training College (RPTC) and could arrest an offender without a warrant. The officers were given special power under sections 16, 17, 18, 20 and 21 of the Maharashtra State Security Corporation Act, 2010, under which they were deemed to be public servants. The Police (Incitement to Disaffection) Act, 1922, and Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966, was to apply to them.