Maintain cordial atmosphere: HC to JNU, students and police

The Delhi High Court today said it expected the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), its students union and the police to maintain the prevailing "cordial" atmosphere in the varsity.
The observation by Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva came after the court was told that the situation on the ground was "peaceful". The court then listed the matter for hearing on August 9.
The varsity, meanwhile, submitted before the court its proposal for installing over 600 CCTV cameras in the campus. The entire exercise is expected to be completed by end of June, it said.
In its affidavit, filed through advocates Monika Arora and Kushal Sharma, the varsity has said it had set up a technical committee to work out the modalities of putting up the cameras.

It has said that its committee has suggested having a comprehensive surveillance system across the campus for the purposes of preventing and detecting thefts, crime and security related incidents as well as to ensure safety of the students.
With regard to the students union's claim that their view was not sought on the issue, the varsity has said that installation of CCTV cameras was an administrative decision and based on the requests of hostel wardens, inter-hall administration and the Dean of students.
The issue of setting up CCTV cameras in the campus had come up during the hearing of JNU's plea against the blocking of its administrative building by agitating students.

The students were protesting against JNU's admission policy based on a University Grants Commission notification slashing the seats for MPhil and PhD courses.