Want to report ragging? Call 100

Want to report ragging? Call 100

Mumbai Police draw up list of ‘mischievous seniors’, to deploy men, women in campuses

Ashutosh Patil

Mumbai, July 23: As first year junior college classes are about to begin, here’s some good news for freshers. The Mumbai Police are taking several anti-ragging measures—from deploying both men and women in plainclothes to preparing a list of “mischievous seniors”. But most important of all, their emergency helpline number, 100, will accept ragging complaints.

“Prevention is better than cure,” said Brijesh Singh, DCP (Zone 1 - South Mumbai). “Although we have instructed educational institutions to take every possible measure to stop ragging, we will keep a vigil to avoid ragging inside or around college campuses. We will also ensure an official complaint is lodged to stop the menace.”
In fact, DCPs have been in touch with heads of educational institutions and are instructing principals and senior administrators to make students aware of the stringent anti-ragging law in the state. Also, the police will step up night rounds at residential campuses just to make sure.

Colleges have welcomed the police initiative and some have even formed anti-ragging squads. Pradip Kulkarni, principal of DG Ruparel College, said, “Although there have been no ragging cases in our college, senior professors and myself do keep a watch over students during recess. Now, police vigilance will help.”

The police have also issued necessary instructions to those who man the emergency helpline numbers regarding ragging complaints. RC Tayde, ACP (main control room), said: “Any ragging complaint will be treated very seriously. It will be given due response and police officials will be instructed immediately.”

The Supreme Court has already made it obligatory for educational institutes to file an FIR in case of ragging, thereby bringing such cases under the purview of the legal system. In 1999, the state passed the Anti-ragging Act after a student of Sophia College, Indu Anto, committed suicide on being mercilessly ragged and humiliated by seniors in the hostel.

Ragging entails a punishment of imprisonment up to two years with a fine of as much as Rs 10,000.

link to report : http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=247380