Now, cops need no campus gate pass

KOLKATA: For the first time, cops have been given permission to enter the campuses of city colleges — without informing the principals — to deal with the admission extortionists. This came after the Sunday night arrest of Ratul Ghosh, a Group D staffer of Surendranath College.
The arrest blew the lid off a network that specialises in under-the-table deals for admission.Following this, police officers — posted at police stations that cover “sensitive” institutions — were told to do rounds of the colleges. And for that, they would not need to inform the principals. “For the first time ever, we have been given a free hand,” said a police source.

Ghosh was found with several incriminating papers, like mark sheets, copy of admission forms and admit cards. The accused claimed he was promised a handsome return by both — union leaders and some “influential” local leaders.
“As per my knowledge, the group D staffer was at his residence in Bankura when the incident got reported. There are outsiders who were present here as some exams are being conducted. I will inquire about the details,” said a senior college administrator.
According to police sources, several Group D staffers are political appointees coming through “particular channels”, several of them appointed temporarily. “Naturally, these men are close to student union leaders who are controlled by local leaders. Often, there is a competition between union leaders aligned to different camps and local leaders and these group D staffers back the highest bidders,” claimed a police source.
Union leaders, too, are no more asking for a “fixed amount”. “The rates fluctuate depending on the courses. Earlier, you had fixed amounts for courses. Now, that has changed. The compensation for group D staffers, thus, varies,” explained the officer.
“We believe the fake documents were prepared and supplied to candidates to make them sail through the verification process,” said a police source.
To stop the menace, senior officers have been asked to camp inside as well as outside the colleges. “Most OCs stayed put in colleges and the bylanes from Monday morning. Most of the time, the shady deals take place at photocopy shops and bylanes. We have deployed our men there as well. All day long, senior officers in the rank of DCPs made rounds of sensitive colleges. Those having three shifts are the ones where we have maximum surveillance,” said a senior officer at Lalbazar.