Rising Insecurity at SUST: Students Face Frequent Thefts and Mugging, Lack of Adequate CCTV

Insecurity is escalating day by day at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), with frequent incidents of theft and mugging occurring both inside the campus and in surrounding areas. Students complain that while commuting during the day or after dusk, they are repeatedly targeted, with mobile phones, wallets, and valuables being snatched. Even hostels and residential areas are no longer safe, as such incidents have become routine. These events have left students living in fear, disrupting their normal daily lives.

According to students, the university lacks sufficient CCTV cameras. Many of the existing ones are either malfunctioning or not installed in necessary locations. The shortage of surveillance is most evident in campus alleys, entry gates, and student housing areas. Although security guards are present at night, students allege their vigilance is inadequate, allowing criminals to exploit opportunities and commit offenses freely.

Reports indicate that on May 16, a female student from the Food Engineering and Tea Technology Department (2019-20 session) fell victim to mugging on her own campus near the Central Shahid Minar area. The assailant snatched her phone, and despite her screams, no security personnel or bystanders came to her aid. When she contacted the Proctor's Office, she was informed that the CCTV cameras in that area were not operational.

Today, at 9:00 am, an assailant attempted to snatch a female student's mobile phone on the road near the women's residential hall. Upon visiting the Proctor's Office to check CCTV footage, she was told there were no cameras in the vicinity, making it impossible to identify the perpetrator. Last month, a stranger followed a female student on the same road and made obscene gestures toward her. Students express frustration over the inadequacy of CCTV and the lack of proactive security measures.

In recent months, several theft incidents have also occurred in residential areas around the campus. Last month, a female student's money, passport, and important documents were stolen from a girls' hostel near the SUST gate. Additionally, a major theft took place from a quarter near the university's Nayabazar area. Over the past three months, several significant theft cases have been reported.

The influx of drugs on campus is also increasing due to the activities of outsiders. On September 6, members of the Proctors' Body apprehended four students from various educational institutions, including outsiders, during a ganja session behind the Center of Excellence Building.

Students believe the administration must take immediate action to protect the university's reputation. They demand more CCTV cameras, intensified patrolling by security personnel, and stricter controls on unauthorized outsiders entering the campus.

Victim female student Sanjida Ahmed Toma said, “At 9:00 am today, while walking from the hall to the Golchattar Road, a boy tried to snatch my mobile from my hand. I was in the middle of the road. The mugger ran toward the First Hall Road. When I went to the Proctor's Office to check footage, I found no cameras on that road, at the Golchattar junction, or near the DX Extension. Without identifying the mugger's face, nothing can be done. An office staffer advised me to be careful.”

She added, “There are not enough cameras on campus. The one near the teachers' quarters road is damaged. If it were working, the mugger could have been identified.”

Proctor Professor Mukhlesur Rahman stated, “Several CCTV cameras were out of order due to ongoing development works. They are now operational.” He further assured, “We are forming a skilled team to control outsiders. The process is underway, and I hope everything will be resolved soon.”