University campuses cannot shield unlawful activities: IGP

Ganderbal, Oct 12: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar on Monday called for a balanced and proactive approach to handling student protests, stressing that legitimate grievances must be addressed through dialogue while unlawful activities on university campuses must be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
Addressing the challenges of student protests and law-and-order situations in educational institutions, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar, emphasised the need for university administrations to adopt a balanced, firm and proactive approach that combines dialogue, preventive measures and strict adherence to the law.
Addressing the participants of the two-day national workshop on “Reimagining Higher Education Administration for Viksit Bharat@2047”, IGP Sujit referred to instances where students resort to agitations over demands, sometimes without bringing their grievances to the notice of the administration.
He urged educational administrators and institutional heads to distinguish between legitimate concerns and unacceptable demands, resolve issues through timely engagement and stand firm against unlawful activities.
Sujit Kumar explained that while educational campuses enjoy a special institutional environment, this does not place unlawful activities beyond the purview of the law.
He said the police can intervene when required, particularly upon a formal request from the competent university authority.
IGP Kashmir Sujit, quoted several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and said, “The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provides a clear legal framework for dealing with unlawful assemblies, obstruction of public servants and rioting.
“University campuses cannot become a shield for unlawful activities, and those who violate the law must be dealt with in accordance with its provisions,” Sujit said.
“Under various sections of the Sanhita, unlawful assembly, liability for offences committed in pursuit of a common objective, and rioting carry specific legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines,” he said.
“Institutional heads must, therefore, uphold the law while exercising sound judgement and ensuring that student grievances are addressed through dialogue and appropriate administrative channels,” IGP said. (JKNS)