Bengaluru police to students: Ragging, drug abuse in college? WhatsApp us

Bengaluru: To keep a tab on growing incidence of drug abuse, ragging and other antisocial activities at educational institutions, the city police have launched a WhatsApp group to report such incidents.

A meeting involving representatives of 60 colleges, students and parents in the East Division were held to create awareness in this regard. The WhatsApp group will not only help students report drug abuse incidences, but help the police to crack down on drug peddlers, a senior police officer said.

P. Harishekharan, additional Commissioner of Police (East Division), who initiated the drive, said the jurisdictional police officer will be the WhatsApp group admin involving staff of the college, students, parents and members of the general public.

The group members would be eyes and ears of the police and would post information on drug abuse, ragging, eve teasing, immoral activities and drag racing. It will also keep a check on harassment and attack on foreign students.

Harishekharan said the primarily focus will be students welfare. The managements of the respective colleges, hostels and paying guest accommodations have been directed to install CCTV cameras. This initiative also helps to identify trouble makers and subject them for counseling, he added.