COIMBATORE: As part of their anti-drug abuse measures, Coimbatore district police have identified 63 locations where college students gather at night. These locations include bakeries, vacant plots and other places around educational institutions.“These locations are being monitored to prevent students from getting involved in activities such as drug consumption and other offences,” said a senior police officer.Police have instructed college hostel authorities to ensure that students do not venture out of the hostels at night without valid reasons or permission. The move is aimed at improving student safety and preventing their possible involvement in unlawful activities during late-night hours. The exercise is part of a wider effort to map student-related vulnerabilities around educational institutions.The district police have begun compiling detailed data on college students, including those staying in hostels and those living in rented accommodation outside campuses, as part of measures to prevent drug use and other unlawful activities among youngsters.There are around 120 colleges in the district, with nearly 15,000 students staying in college hostels and another 29,000 students living in rented houses or other accommodation outside campuses. As part of the exercise, police have started collecting lists of students who have discontinued their studies. Details are also being gathered on students who have previously faced criminal cases, besides information on students residing within and outside college campuses.A preliminary assessment has indicated the presence of ganja use in the vicinity of 10 colleges. Police are focusing on these areas and are expected to intensify surveillance and preventive measures.Police would coordinate with college administrations and hostel wardens to keep track of students staying on and off campus. The data collected on students, including those who have dropped out and those with previous cases, would be used for preventive policing and targeted monitoring, officials said.
