BHUBANESWAR – The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate, in coordination with university officials, has initiated a significant security drive named Operation Blue Star at Utkal University. The operation aims to evict non-students and unauthorised occupants from campus hostels to prevent potential violence ahead of the upcoming student union elections. This move is a direct response to rising tensions and recent incidents of student unrest on the campus.
Pre-emptive Measures to Ensure Peaceful Elections
University and police authorities have cited the need to create a secure environment as the primary reason for the operation. Historically, the period leading up to student union elections has been marked by clashes between rival student factions, often involving individuals who are not officially enrolled at the university.
“Our objective is to ensure the safety and security of our bona fide students,” stated a senior official from the university administration in a press briefing. “By removing unauthorised individuals who occupy hostel rooms illegally, we are taking a crucial step to dismantle networks that contribute to campus disturbances.”
According to the Bhubaneswar police, the operation involves surprise raids and thorough verification of identity documents for all hostel residents. The action is intended to be a pre-emptive strike against troublemakers who might instigate violence to influence the election outcomes.
Execution and Immediate Impact of the Operation
The security sweep began in the early hours, with multiple police teams being deployed across several men’s hostels on the university’s Vani Vihar campus. Officials reported that the operation was conducted swiftly to prevent illegal occupants from absconding.
Evictions and Verifications
During the initial phase of the operation, police personnel escorted dozens of individuals who failed to produce valid student identification from the hostel premises. University officials have stated that the process of verifying every resident will continue, and stricter regulations for hostel entry and exit will be enforced immediately.
“This is not a one-time drive. We are establishing a more robust system for monitoring campus security year-round,” a police spokesperson told reporters. “All hostel superintendents have been instructed to maintain a strict vigil and report any unauthorised presence immediately.”
A Controversial Name
The choice of the name “Operation Blue Star” has drawn attention, given its connection to the sensitive 1984 Indian military operation at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. While officials have not provided a public rationale for the name, sources within the police department have suggested it was used internally to signify a major, decisive clearing operation. However, the name itself has not been a significant point of contention among the student body, with most focusing on the operation’s security implications.
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Student Reactions and Next Steps
The reaction from students has been mixed. While many have welcomed the move to enhance safety and remove disruptive elements from hostels, others have expressed concerns about the heavy police presence creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
“Safety is important, especially during election time, but a university should not feel like a police barracks,” said a postgraduate student who requested anonymity.
Following the evictions, the university administration has announced it will issue new, tamper-proof identity cards to all students and will conduct regular, unannounced checks of the hostels. The authorities have affirmed their commitment to holding the student union elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.
The operation underscores a growing trend of university administrations taking stringent measures to manage campus politics and prevent the escalation of student unrest, particularly during the highly charged election seasons.
