Bengaluru: Monday’s incident at Bangalore University’s Jnana Bharathi campus wherein eight sandalwood trees were chopped and stolen has forced the management to arm the security guards with rifles during night patrols. As many as 20 sandalwood trees were chopped on the campus in the last month and half and the varsity has filed complaints with the police in this regard.
Prof K N Ningegowda, Registrar (administration), BU said that the decision to equip the security guards with rifles was taken after discussion with the Syndicate members, senior professors and police authorities. The varsity will apply for licenses for the firearms with the police chief soon.
“We will apply for two licences and the rifles will be in the custody of the Jnana Bharathi police. The night security men will take them during patrols and again hand them over to the station after night duty,” said Ningegowda. He further said that at least 90 outsourced security guards work round-the-clock at the campus and if needed, will take the help of retired police or army personnel who have valid gun license.
