Barishal: Residents of Banamali Ganguly Women’s Hostel at Government Brojomohun College in Barishal experienced severe fear and insecurity following the reported presence of an unidentified man near the hostel late Thursday night.
At approximately 11:50 p.m., the hostel’s night guard reportedly spotted the unidentified man near the pond beside the hostel and called for assistance. As news of the incident spread, the resident students came downstairs in fear and searched the surrounding area together. However, the man could not be found.
According to the students, police personnel from a nearby police outpost arrived at the hostel following the incident. However, their presence did not ease the students’ concerns. Instead, the students alleged that some police personnel made teasing and inappropriate remarks directed at them while performing their duties, leaving them feeling further distressed and uncomfortable. Statements from the relevant authorities would help establish a fuller picture of the incident.
The students said that a female teacher who was staying at the hostel subsequently supervised the situation. Following the incident, the frightened residents remained on the ground floor and took turns patrolling in groups throughout the night. They questioned why female students living in an institutional hostel had to stay awake and guard themselves instead of being able to rest and study in a secure environment.
The residents expressed concern about the safety of their accommodation, emphasizing that their parents had sent them to college with high hopes and confidence in the institution. They questioned how their families could remain reassured if their daughters were unable to feel safe within their own educational institution. According to the students, ensuring a secure environment for living and studying is one of the primary responsibilities of the college authorities.
The students also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the hostel’s existing security arrangements. Despite having a night guard, the reported incident has raised questions about surveillance and access control. They called for an investigation into how an outsider could allegedly enter the hostel premises at night, whether the entrance was being monitored properly, and whether there had been any negligence in carrying out security duties.
The residents further questioned why they should have to remain uncertain about their basic safety despite paying session charges and other fees. They maintained that security is not a privilege or a favour but a fundamental right of students. They called for practical measures rather than assurances to ensure their safety.
Their demands include a fair investigation into the incident, stricter monitoring of hostel entrances, stronger nighttime security, proper supervision of the night guard’s duties, and regular inspections of the entire residential area. They also called for an impartial inquiry into the allegations of inappropriate conduct by the police personnel and appropriate action if the allegations are substantiated.
The students clarified that they did not intend to make unjustified accusations against anyone. Rather, they sought transparency, accountability, and effective solutions to their security concerns. They expressed fears that failure to address the situation promptly could leave residents vulnerable to more serious incidents in the future.
The incident at Banamali Ganguly Women’s Hostel has raised significant questions about the effectiveness of security arrangements for residential students at Government Brojomohun College. The residents hope that the college administration will take the matter seriously and introduce effective measures without delay, ensuring that students can live and pursue their education in a safe and fear-free environment.