Step Up Security at your Medical College: Human Rights Commission tells Chairman

Thiruvananthapuram: The campus could not be allowed to "be a hangout for drug peddlers, drunkards and criminal elements", stated Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) while observing the immoral activities and violation of law and order; taking place frequently at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Campus.

Justice Antony Dominic, SHRC Chairman, blamed inadequate security measures for the issues at the medical institution and hence ordered the District Collector, who is the chairman of Medical College Development Council; to take ample measures to curb this menace.

This order was passed on the basis of a complaint filed by an ambulance operator who claimed that one of his drivers was assaulted by ambulance drivers on the campus. The incident took place in January last year.

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Taking cognizance of the complaint, the Commission initiated a probe with its own investigation wing which unexpectedly revealed that the complainant himself was involved in unlawful activities. The investigation also revealed the lethargy by medical college authorities. The probe report stated that the medical college premises "had a strong presence of criminals and it lacked security measures."

As per The Hindu, while ordering the District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) to introduce patrols under the supervision of senior officers, the commission recounted,

"A probe by the commission's own investigation wing revealed human rights violations and presence of criminal elements on the campus. The complainant was engaged in nefarious activities under the guise of running an ambulance service."

The commission noted that serious crimes are being done on the pretext of ambulance service. There were ambulances which plied with single number and ambulances were even used for money laundering. The probe report cited that one or two cops are on duty at aid posts and that mafia exploiting patients are bystanders are active at Medical College, adds TOI.

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Blaming inadequate security measures for these illegal activities around the campus, the SHRC Chairman ordered that the campus could not be allowed to be a hangout for drug peddlers, drunkards and criminal elements. The commission went on to direct the following,

"Pre-paid counters or such a mechanism should be introduced soon to prevent visitors from being fleeced. Any other alternatives shall be put in place to curb the activities of auto, taxi and ambulance drivers, who exploit people.

It should also be ensured that drivers with criminal backgrounds were not appointed as ambulance drivers.

Ambulances should be subjected to regular inspections."

TOI reports that the human rights commission has also directed city police commissioner to ensure strong police patrol in Medical college campus. The commission has directed officials to submit a report on measures being taken within two months.

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