Bhubaneswar, Oct 7: With student elections drawing closer, educational campuses across Bhubaneswar are witnessing heightened political activity, with rival student groups increasingly locking horns. Amid fears of possible election-related violence, the Commissionerate Police has begun preparing a comprehensive security plan to prevent any untoward incidents. The move follows a directive from DGP Binaytosh Mishra. Under the new security arrangements, a dedicated police force will be kept on standby at police stations located near major educational institutions. The force will be deployed to campuses at short notice in case of any law-and-order situation. Police have also decided to intensify day-and-night patrolling around educational institutions. If required, armed personnel will conduct flag marches on campuses to maintain law and order and deter violence. The security measures come after two student groups affiliated with the same political party reportedly clashed at Maharshi College on Monday. Meanwhile, two student groups at Utkal University are preparing to launch protests, raising concerns among authorities over the possibility of further confrontations. Patrolling has already begun at several college and university campuses since Monday. At Utkal University, a section of police personnel has been deployed outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office since evening, while another platoon has been kept on standby at Saheed Nagar police station. Two PCR vans have also been patrolling the university campus. Police are keeping a close watch on hostels, canteens and other gathering points where student groups frequently congregate. Similar security arrangements have been made for Rama Devi University and Maharshi College, with one section of police personnel each kept on alert at Saheed Nagar police station. At BJB College, where clashes between multiple student groups have reportedly continued for the past three to four years, Badagada police are closely monitoring the activities of the rival groups to prevent any escalation. Plainclothes personnel have also been deployed at several campuses. They are conducting checks inside and outside college premises, including hostels, private messes and carrom-playing areas, which are considered potential gathering points for student groups. A section of police personnel has been kept ready at the concerned police station for election-related deployment, with teams being sent to campuses periodically for patrolling and surveillance. At Rajdhani College, one section of police force has been kept on standby at Khandagiri police station. Police are particularly monitoring the activities of two to three student groups reportedly involved in clashes and physical altercations in the past in an attempt to establish their influence on the campus. With student election activity gaining momentum, police officials are maintaining heightened vigilance across educational institutions to prevent clashes and ensure that the electoral process remains peaceful.
Police step up security on Odisha campuses ahead of student elections
