Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu has asked the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, BJ Rao, to take steps to ensure the safety of students, staff, and public property on the university campus. He also emphasized the need to maintain a peaceful environment so that academic activities can continue without problems.
The Deputy Chief Minister wrote a letter to the Vice-Chancellor after receiving requests from civil society groups to withdraw police forces from the campus. These groups raised concerns at a meeting held on Monday. In his letter, Bhatti asked the Vice-Chancellor to ensure that students do not disrupt academic classes and that peace is maintained.
Recently, students held a protest (dharna) against the cutting of trees on 400 acres of government land near the university. This led to an increased police presence on campus to maintain law and order.
Bhatti stated that the Telangana government is strongly committed to protecting the independence of academic institutions. He assured that universities must be safe, inclusive places for learning and research.
He also explained that the police were deployed on campus only after a written request by the university’s Registrar. However, the government has now decided to withdraw the general police presence near the main campus. The only exception will be the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land, where police will remain to protect the trees, as per a Supreme Court order. No other activity will be allowed on that land.
