Students seek repairs, police outpost as authorities deny major incidents
Goa Engineering College (GEC) premises, which houses thousands of students from GEC, NIT, IIT and ITI, has come under scrutiny over safety concerns, with students pointing to a damaged gate and alleged entry of outsiders causing nuisance.
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The campus has three main gates, including the primary entrance and another towards the Veling side, both of which are in good condition. However, a third gate along the compound wall near Katamgal Deitee has been damaged by unknown persons and remains neglected.
A group of GEC students expressed concern over safety, stating that outsiders, particularly in the evenings, enter the campus and create disturbances. Students have also demanded the setting up of a police outpost within the premises.
They said the damaged gate should be repaired and restored, adding that on March 17 a quarrel had taken place after outsiders entered the campus and caused nuisance. Students further pointed out that liquor outlets located outside the GEC premises should be shifted farther away.
A GEC professor, however, said no harassment incidents had been officially reported within the college. “If any students have faced issues, they should file written complaints,” he said, adding that GEC is a reputed institution with good student conduct.
He acknowledged nuisance caused by outsiders entering the campus at night and said several security staff posts remain vacant, limiting efforts to prevent unauthorised entry. He added that liquor outlets outside the campus are beyond the administration’s control.
Ponda DySP Shivram Vaigankar said police are concerned about safety at GEC and that no untoward incidents have been reported. He said police patrol the area daily, with the Pink Force deployed in the evenings and at night, and that meetings have been held with GEC authorities.
Vaigankar said outsiders visiting friends may at times cause inconvenience. On the damaged gate, he said GEC officials have been asked to repair it and security staff directed to restrict entry of outsiders. He added that the Farmagudi police outpost is located near the campus.
On the issue of security staff shortage, he said it is for the GEC administration to address.
