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New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha mandates installation of CCTV on college, varsity campuses to check crimes
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to check incidents of sexual harassment, ragging and other crimes on campuses, the state government has decided to bring all higher educational institutions under the Higher Education department under the CCTV surveillance system. Under the Shaktishree initiative, which was announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi last week in wake of the FM (Autonomous) College incident, the department has decided to mandate installation of CCTVs in all public colleges and universities to keep a closer watch and ensure a safe environment in the campuses. Modalities of the installation are currently being worked out. A senior official of the department informed that principals of the institutions will soon be asked to identify the locations on campuses where installation of CCTVs is required. The principals will consult the internal complaints committee (ICC) members and Shaktishree Empowerment Cells to decide upon locations on the campuses. A central control room will be established in the department for monitoring purposes. 'The idea is to bring both frequented and less frequented areas in a college or university under CCTV surveillance to keep an eye on any untoward incident that is happening on campuses including cases of sexual harassment,' said the official.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
FM college student's death sparks political storm; Odisha CM announces Rs 20 lakh ex gratia, promises strict action
BHUBANESWAR: Hours after the death of the girl student of FM (Autonomous) College at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, his ministers and officers went into a huddle to chart out a course of action to tackle the fallout on Tuesday. The chief minister, who accompanied President Droupadi Murmu to Cuttack in the morning to attend several programmes, returned to the state capital in the afternoon and held a series of high-level meetings. Again, after seeing off the President at the airport in the evening, he rushed to the state BJP office and held a meeting with top party functionaries, which lasted for more than two hours. Earlier in the morning, Majhi announced an ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the next of the kin of the victim. The 20-year-old girl, who set herself ablaze on July 12 outside the principal's office on the college campus, was declared dead late on Monday night by the authorities of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. Expressing grief over the student's demise, the chief minister assured the family that the accused in the case will be given the strictest of punishment. 'I have personally instructed the officials concerned on this. The government stands firmly with the family,' he said. Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed deep grief. Meanwhile, sources said the meetings held by the CM took note of the quick action taken by arresting the principal and the assistant professor of the college and provisioning best of treatment for the victim. While endorsing the action of the government, there was unanimity on expanding the scope of the investigation to bring each and everyone involved in the incident and its run up under its purview.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Authorities of FM college tried to cover up, protect teacher: Balasore MP Sarangi
BALASORE: Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi on Saturday alleged gross negligence and callousness on the part of FM (Autonomous) College authorities in handling a harassment complaint that culminated in a student's attempt of self-immolation. The BJP MP claimed that the college principal and the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) failed to act responsibly despite complaints by the victim. 'This matter had been ongoing for several days. When it was brought to my notice, I personally called the principal and the police. The principal said the ICC was probing the matter and assured that the enquiry would be completed in five days,' Sarangi told mediapersons. The girl along with her friends had met him days earlier and revealed she had previously attempted suicide due to continued harassment by assistant professor Samir Kumar Sahu. 'After receiving the news of the self-immolation, I tried calling the principal multiple times, but he did not respond. I immediately rushed to the college to review the ICC report and was shocked to find glaring discrepancies between the report and statements made by the complainant, her father and other students. The report was clearly biased,' he alleged. Sarangi termed the ICC's report as 'Samira Chalisa', saying it appeared to glorify the accused professor rather than hold him accountable. 'One absurd claim in the report was that he taught yoga to students who came late to class. Is that even logical?' he questioned. The MP also raised serious concerns about the integrity of the ICC's functioning. 'When I checked the records, I was stunned. The proceeding register had only signatures and there were no details of discussions or conclusions. Yet the principal claimed the committee had met five times. Every effort was made to shield the assistant professor,' he said.
