Students at a college in Andhra Pradesh protested after a hidden camera was found in their hostel washroom.
Massive protests erupted at the SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district on Thursday after a hidden camera was found inside the washroom of a girls’ hostel.
Scores of female students at the hostel were seen chanting “we want justice” slogans, demanding the authorities to take action against the accused, and assuring their safety on campus.
Meanwhile, the state police said they identified and detained the accused, Vijay, who was a student of the same college.
His laptop was seized and nearly 300 obscene videos were recovered, which the police suspected he sold to other students.
The incident comes as the country is witnessing massive protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, on August 9.
POLITICAL LEADERS REACT
As the incident triggered protests, the Telugu Desam Party said Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has ordered an inquiry into the case.
“The Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the concern of the students about the presence of hidden cameras in the hostel. He has ordered the District Collector and SP to go to the spot immediately along with District Minister, Kollu Ravindra,” a rough translation of the party’s post in regional language suggested.
The party’s General Secretary and the Chief Minister’s son, Nara Lokesh, in an X post said, “I asked the authorities for details about the protest of female students at Gudlavalleru Engineering College of Krishna District. I have ordered an inquiry into the allegations of hidden cameras.”
“Strict action will be taken against the culprits and those responsible if it is found that they have committed a mistake in the investigation. Managers should take early steps without ragging and harassment in colleges,” he added.
Reacting to the incident, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief, YS Sharmila, urged for immediate action and said a high-level committee should be formed.
In an X post, she said, “As a mother of a girl child, this incident made me very nervous. The educational institutions that are supposed to teach reading and culture.. made me wonder what they are teaching the children.”
“A high-level committee should be formed immediately. An inquiry should be held with senior IPS officers. If no action is taken by next week I will visit the college,” she added.
