CCTVs used to spy on us: EFL University students

Hyderabad: There was high drama at the English and Foreign Languages University campus on Monday as students resisted installation of surveillance cameras inside the mess and the hostels. They protested and shouted slogans.

The students said that in the aftermath of the recent gangrape incident at the boys’ hostel, the university administration was going against the University Grants Commission guidelines and had started to repress and impose restrictions in the name of security.

Residents of Basheer hostel have submitted a memorandum to the provost, asking him to interact with the students by calling for a general body meeting.

There are currently a total of 41 CCTV cameras on campus, with every hostel entrance having one. Another 50-60 are slated to be set up with every corridor and the mess hall being covered.

“These surveillance cameras are used more as a surveillance mechanism to restrict and track movements of certain students and target them rather than for safety and security.

We had earlier given representations to the university authority citing that despite the surveillance all these months, there have been many incidents. The repressive atmosphere is the root cause of the problems,” a student said.

Another student added, “Incidents of eve-teasing, molestation and sexual harassment are aplenty. In 2014 alone, there were about six such incidents reported where girl students were either groped or harassed, but security is still lacking. The guards don’t come to our help.”

Students complained that though basic necessities like proper drinking water and Internet connections were not available, the administration was not addressing these immediate concerns on the pretext of dearth of funds.

“How come money is available for buying surveillance cameras and not for other basic facilities?” the students questioned.

“The CCTV cameras are being installed not to create fear, but to eliminate the coercive situation. There must be social order and students must behave in a more responsible manner,” said Prakash Kona, member of the proctor committee.