Thief steals laptop, phone from CU women's hostel; TMCP demands action

A major security breach has been reported at a women’s hostel of Calcutta University, where allegations of theft have emerged, raising serious concerns about the safety of students. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, saw a student's laptop and mobile phone stolen from her room, prompting the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) to demand swift action and point fingers at the hostel superintendent for alleged negligence. The incident has sent a wave of fear through the student community, who now feel vulnerable even within the hostel premises.

The victim, a chemical engineering student named Sayantani Chakraborty, was sleeping in her room with the balcony door open due to the sweltering heat. According to her account, an unidentified man allegedly climbed over the railing, entered her room, and stole her mobile phone, laptop and money. The student awoke to noises inside the room and tried to stop the intruder, but the accused managed to flee the scene before he could be caught.

Sayantani, visibly shaken by the incident, voiced her fear and frustration. "I am very scared. I have been here for so long. I have never seen anything like this. Today there was a theft. Tomorrow something else could have happened to me," she said. Her statement reflects a deeper anxiety among the students about their personal safety, especially in a place that is supposed to be a secure living environment.

The TMCP has been vocal in its condemnation of the incident. A leader from the student organization stated, "This is the first incident. This is not right. We will all go together and file an FIR at the police station." The organization's strong stance also includes a direct accusation against the hostel superintendent, alleging a lack of cooperation after the incident came to light.

The victim, Sayantani, also vented her anger at the hostel superintendent, Chhayarani Murmu, claiming she was not cooperative. "I told him to come with me to file a complaint at the police station. He did not go then. He said go alone," she alleged. "Now when you see the excesses, you are saying something different." This accusation has created a rift between the students and the hostel administration.

However, Superintendent Chhayarani Murmu has denied the allegations against her. She recounted her side of the story, stating, "I asked where the thief was? He said the thief had fled. I went around with the security guard. Then we went to the police station ourselves in the morning. It happened at night. However, I did not have the police station number."