GMC Nagpur girl students raise campus safety issues

Maharashtra: After a recent reported incident at parking lot of GMC Nagpur hostel, the girl students at the campus have raised security concerns. This comes after 10 two-wheelers of women medicos at the medical college were gutted in fire. The incident has no explanation till date, as to what caused the fire in the parking lot of women’s hostel number 2. Even though a police complaint has been registered, there has been no clue on the unidentified people who lighted fire. As an immediate action on the matter, there has been installation of CCTV cameras at the women’s hostel now.

However, students at GMCH have expressed their concern on security at the college premise. The reported place of the fire incident-women’s hostel no. 2 has no fencing. It is located adjacent to the Superspecialty Hospital of the GMC. Also, the land behind the hostel is surrounded by a slum area. Divya Sharma, second year MBBS student of GMC in her statement implied that even though CCTV cameras have now been installed at the premise, the lack of fencing is still a matter of big concern. Students still feel anxious that anybody can enter the hostel premise easily to damage or even steal their property.

Then, there is an added concern of poor lighting at the hostel premise. It makes it difficult for students to access the surroundings during the evening hours. It is even alleged that this area has reported many cases of eve-teasing and even molestation. Nikita Gangwani, a first year MBBS student in her statement implied that after attending the classes in the evening, on their way back, she alleged that the girl students fear chain snatchers and eve-teasers.

When contacted by TOI, GMC dean Dr Abhimanyu Niswade, said: "Students' security is on the top of our priority list. The case is under investigation by the Ajni police, so I won't comment on it, but I suspect it is a possible sabotage by miscreants. We have already installed CCTV cameras inside the premises and are renovating the boundary wall. The presence of antisocial elements would be checked by the guards now." When asked why the precautionary measures were not taken earlier, he ended the conversation saying that he will ensure the safety of every student inside the campus now.

However, the recent incident has disturbed the students and their parents alike. One of the victims whose two-wheeler was torched informed TOI on the condition of anonymity, "My parents live in Kerala and this incident has shocked my family. My father has decided to visit Nagpur to meet the dean and speak to him about the lack of security on campus. If our college had taken the simple security measures earlier, it would have saved us a lot of pain and anguish."