Outsiders to be denied entry on JNUSU polling day

NEW DELHI: Outsiders will be barred from entering the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Friday, when the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) election will take place, the varsity has announced.

Acting under instructions of the University administration, a top security official on Monday said that no outsiders will be allowed to enter the campus on polling day.

"Security staff may ask anybody for identity card, if required. This is as per the direction of the competent authority. All campus residents are requested to carry their ID cards and cooperate with security staff," said a letter issued by the Chief Security Officer on September 1.

The posts of president, vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary on the line on Friday's election, the results of which will be announced on September 11.

Reacting to the notification, Prashant Mujherjee, secretary, Delhi State Committee, Student Federation of India, said: "Why is the security staff intervening in student affairs? JNUSU election is conducted by the students and for the students. Our campus is being defamed as a 'disturbed campus' by a few people only."

JNU has imposed restrictions on outsiders' since the February 9, 2016 incident, when pro-Pakistan slogans were allegedly raised at a cultural meet.