Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Govi Cheziaan. File | Photo Credit: G. Moorthy
Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan on Friday (December 27, 2024) said the State government would take measures to improve security on the Anna University campus, where a girl student was sexually assaulted earlier this week.
“The unfortunate incident at Anna University was brought to the notice of the government. The university has a POSH [Prevention of Sexual Harassment] committee, and we have instructed that the students can approach the committee for redressal of their grievances,” Mr. Chezhiaan said.
“This is an issue concerning the university and students’ education. The university is fully cooperating with the inquiry conducted by the police and the National Women’s Commission,” he added
According to the minister, around 80% of the CCTV cameras on the campus are working. The overgrown shrubbery on the campus will be removed, said Mr. Chezhiaan, adding that more streetlights will be installed soon.
The minister further said measures to improve security and prevent such incidents in other universities would also be taken. Anna University has constituted a separate committee with senior faculty, women members, and student representatives to look into the issue, he added.
‘Accused had easy entry’
Gnanasekaran, the man arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting the student four days ago, had easy entry to the campus as his wife was one of the workers outsourced to maintain the campus, the Minister said.
“The incident happened around 8 p.m. The man was a frequent visitor to the campus according to the security staff. Henceforth, visitors will have to show ID cards, and vehicles must be photographed before they are permitted to enter,” the minister said. “We shall hold meetings to increase security on the campus and in all the engineering colleges and other universities under our purview to prevent such incidents,” he said.
On December 23, two mechanical engineering students, both hostellers, were walking post-dinner in a less frequented area of the campus, when Gnanasekaran approached them. He allegedly sexually assaulted with the girl, a first-year student, after beating up her friend, a final-year student. The girl then lodged a complaint with the Kotturpuram police station.
Mr. Chezhiaan said the university had a POSH committee but the student had not approached it after the incident. He also added that awareness programmes on POSH had been conducted for students. The students on the campus, however, said they were not aware of the existence of such a committee.
Published – December 27, 2024 02:05 pm IST
