Kolkata: Jadavpur University campus wore an almost-deserted look on Tuesday night, a day after the new acting registrar, Debajit Dutta, sent out a notice, announcing that anyone, including students, found on the premises beyond 8 pm without permission or a valid reason would be considered a trespasser.The first night the norm came into effect, TOI visited the campus to take stock of the situation. Though the deadline set for students to leave the campus was 8 pm, some were seen sitting around in groups near union rooms, canteens and the ground. But as the clock struck 8.45 pm, acting registrar Dutta, flanked by security guards, started making rounds of the campus. Within minutes, students cleared out and even after Dutta left, the ex-servicemen and security guards continued their patrolling. “I visited the places, where students usually hang around, such as the ground, near the guest house, OAT, Subarna Jayanti Bhavan and canteens. Some students and hostel boarders were there but they left when I asked them to. It will take some time for them to adopt this new habit of not staying on campus till late at night,” said Dutta.A security staff member pointed out that fewer students had anyway been staying back on the campus till late after the vandalism on Aug 19 and Aug 20. “Some were playing on the ground. We told them to disperse by 9 pm and they complied. In the past, too, guards patrolled the campus and ensured students did not stay at night but there were some, who were adamant,” he said.The guards were also seen restricting entry into the campus at night. “We have been told not to allow anyone into the campus on Sundays and holidays, even during the day. Those entering must show their valid ID cards or have valid reasons to visit the campus on those days,” said a guard at a gate.
