Shimla: Himachal Pradesh’s 17 private universities will now appoint nodal security officers to coordinate with district police chiefs and strengthen campus safety in the wake of recent incidents at universities in neighbouring states.
The move will also involve joint campus security audits and standard operating procedures for handling emergencies.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by DGP Ashok Tiwari at Police Headquarters in Shimla on Monday, in compliance with chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s directions to review security arrangements at universities across the state.
The meeting reviewed security at entry and exit points, visitor verification, hostel safety, police verification of private security personnel and their regular training.
A presentation on recent incidents at private universities in Jalandhar and Patiala was also made.
Universities have been asked to appoint authorised spokespersons and coordinate with police cybercrime and media cells to prevent rumours during emergencies.
The meeting also stressed joint efforts to curb drug-related activities under the state’s ‘anti-chitta‘ campaign. DGP Tiwari urged institutions to promote cyber safety and inform students, particularly women, about emergency helpline 112 and the ‘Track Me’ safety facility.
