While one man was arrested, the students said in their complaint to the police that there were three intruders on 26 January night.
Published Jan 28, 2024 | 1:33 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 28, 2024 | 1:37 PM
the women students of the Osmania University PG hostel (Suuplied)
Students at Osmania University began protesting on Saturday, 27 January, after an unidentified individual gained unauthorised entry into the premises of the university-affiliated postgraduate (PG) hostel on Friday, creating panic for the women staying there.
The students say they are worried about their security and the unavailability of CCTV cameras.
The versions of the officials and students did not give clarity and police officials are still investigating how the intruders entered the hostel.
Priyanka, a student, told South First, “The incident happened late at night.”
She recounted: “We were studying in our rooms when we were told that one of our roommates had seen a man entering and rushed outside, caught him, and tied him up.”
Meanwhile, North Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rohini Priyadarshini told South First, “We are still investigating where the man’s entry was. We are also looking at if there were multiple intruders.”
She added: “I have visited the hostel, counselled the students, and asked them to return, and also assured them that nobody was above the law. The criminals will be punished.”
Detective Inspector Mallesham of Begumpet Police Station said: “The man is identified as Srikanth Mallesham. Reportedly, he scaled the hostel wall to gain access.”
He added: “A vigilant security guard apprehended Srikanth, but not before students who witnessed the intrusion intervened and subdued him. The intruder is currently in police custody.”
Mallesham added on Sunday, “Srikanth is a water-tank driver working in adjacent cantonment water board. He jumped over the compound wall in a totally inebriated condition.”
He added: “Srikanth is under remand, and we have registered a case under Sections 323, 354 (C), 506, and 509 of the Indian Penal Code.”
The cop also said: “There are no CCTV visuals near the compound area to determine if multiple men jumped into the compound, like the women students alleged in their complaint. However, the other men could not escape that quickly as the walls are very high.”
Addressing the security concerns, Osmania University Vice-Chancellor Prof D Ravinder told South First that there was adequate security presence, and the administration had witnessed a notable increase in the enrolment of female students this year.
As for the apprehensions, he said he and Registrar Prof P Lakshminarayana were personally visiting the hostel to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the students.
On Saturday evening, the vice-chancellor visited the hostel in Secunderabad, accompanied by the registrar and OSD to VC Prof B Reddya Naik.
Ravinder reviewed the incident and comforted the terrified students. He assured that actions would be taken to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.
It was announced that security personnel — consisting of two men and two women — would be appointed soon to ensure the safety of the students.
The vice-chancellor also gave assurances that steps would be taken to construct a 10-foot-high wall around the dormitory for the safety of the students.
He also promised to set up full-scale CCTV cameras and resolve issues in the mess and dormitories as soon as possible.
