MNNIT revamping security set-up

MOTILAL NEHRU National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) has undertaken an exercise to completely revamp its security set-up. The initiative has been taken by the Deemed University following the recent terror attack on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and instructions received from the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development in this regard.

As per the new order, security personnel manning the main gates of the Institute have been ordered to check all vehicles and verify identities of all individuals entering the campus. While all MNNIT staff members, including teachers, and the students are expected to show their identity cards when demanded, all visitors will henceforth be allowed in only after entering their names, destination department and the person they wish to meet.

Security personnel have also been asked to contact the department or the person concerned with whom the visitor wishes to go to or meet, if needed, and get a green signal from there before allowing entry to an outsider into the campus.

"Like everyone in the country, we too were shocked by the Bangalore attack and immediate steps were taken to beef-up MNNIT security. However, now after the MHRD instructions, a systematic and phased review as well as concrete steps are being undertaken to improve the security for the benefit of the institution, students and the staff members," informed MNNIT Director Prof Arun Baran Samaddar.

He said soon, entry passes as well as vehicle stickers too would be issued to staff members and students to make the process easy and speedy. "We are also in the process of forming a roving committee comprising of some of our most senior faculty members. They will review the security arrangements of the campus, keep watch on it and make suggestions to make it better, fool-proof and less obstructive," Prof Samaddar added.

He said that a process of reviewing MNNIT's security personnel as well as facilities made available to them like effectiveness of wireless sets too is on.
"Our aim is to have an effective security arrangement on the campus and want professionals handling the job who can carry out their responsibilities to the letter but without unnecessary harassing or causing inconvenience to anyone.

We have made it clear that any incident of misbehaviour on their part with anyone, be it staff member, student or a visitor, will not be tolerated," Prof Samaddar said.