Security Arrangements in the Educational Institutes

by PURVI RADIA
Posted on 2009-01-07
“It is true that security arrangements are necessary in all the educational institutions but it is also the responsibility of the institutions to arrange for their own security. We can pay regular visits to the institutions and can give guidance if asked,” said, The Superintendent of Police (SP), intelligence, Mr Atmaram Deshpande.
In a way stringent measures are always beneficial in combating any eventualities. After the Mumbai terror attack it is a necessity to have proper surveillance and vigilance in the state.
Although at present everything is calm the fear still exists in everyone’s mind, somewhere. We avoid going to some crowded place or a happening area, with the fear that some untoward incident may take place and we may be victims. Our behaviour pattern changes because we are looking at things in a rather suspicious manner.
One parent said, “The total scenario of the terror attack has scared me and this is why I have become very protective towards my children and my family.”
The students in various institutions also said that the fear brought on by the Mumbai terror attacks is still within them. If there are proper security arrangements in the institutions then they will feel safer.
It is very scary sometimes to even spend a long time in the college. Imagine one is just sitting in the canteen and some unknown person steps inside the college. It would be very difficult to communicate with this person especially after the recent Mumbai carnage. As it is, even under normal circumstances, we are not comfortable in communicating with strangers. All this depends upon the security arrangements. If there are proper security arrangements then there is no need to panic. These measures may differ from one school to another and similarly from one college to another.
Speaking to the Principle of the Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar, as well as the Officialate Principal of S S Dempo college of Commerce and Economics, Altinho, Dr Srikant Deshpande said, “Both our security guards at the entrance and at the exit are well placed with the intercom facility, gate pass to prevent the entry of any unknown person. One of the security personnel is an ex-army man. We have also made carrying identity cards mandatory for all the students.”
This is the case with the Dhempe College. Now talking about Dempo College, he said, “We are planning to have a mock drill as we had in Dhempe College just to ease the minds of students and faculty from any anxiousness and fright.”
The Principle was very much content with the arrangements and thought it was sufficient to manage any eventuality, should one arise.
Upon entering the premises of the Mushtifund High School and Higher Secondary, there was no evidence of a guard either at the entrance or at the rear of the institute. But very soon I was asked by an individual in uniform to explain my presence at the institution and also asked for the purpose of my visit. Mr Suhas Sardessai, Administrator of the institution said, “Yes, we have only one security guard, who you found. Nevertheless he is physically powerful and well acquainted with judo. He keeps a close eye on any stranger who enters here and also observes the movements of the person. We also have the alarm system in case of emergency. The lifts can also be set to reach directly at the top floor without stopping anywhere in between.”
He gave the impression that he was not satisfied with the security arrangements as he said, “If the Government could provide us with the armed men then we would be very happy.”
The SP said, “The police are ready to provide security for any event or occasion, but only if the situation demands it.”
If an educational institute demands for armed security, then it is the look out of that institution as the police do not provide any security guards to private as well as Government educational institutions, unless in case of emergency.
The SP further said, “But stringent measures need to be taken at the Goa Medical college and at the Goa University as it is a well established location.”
So some of the heads of institutions are content with the arrangements while some expect the Government to provide security. It is quiet nice to know that the educational institutions are ready with some arrangements to curb any eventualities.