ISLAMABAD: The district magistrate has asked hostel managements to regulate movement of their hostellers, especially students, to prevent them from getting involved in any criminal activity or falling prey to criminals.

An advisory issued by the office of the district magistrate stated that the office had received credible information about lack of discipline in private hostels.

Besides complaints, it has been reported by the capital police’s Special Branch that students of different institutions residing in private hostels often remain out of hostels at night and no record of their movement is maintained by respective hostel administrations, the advisory added.

“These students have sometimes been found involved in crimes and at times falling victim to criminal activities,” the advisory stated, adding that in view of these concerns and the prevailing law and order situation all hostels had been asked to comply with directives issued by the district magistrate.

The hostels have been told to maintain a complete entry and exit record of students residing there and no student should be allowed to stay out at night, said the advisory.

It said no student should be allowed to remain outside the hostel after 10pm without informing their parents.

Surprise inspection of hostels likely, officials say

It said that the record of entry and exit of job-holders should also be maintained along with timings of their official duties.

All hostels in the capital have been asked to strictly follow the directives.

Officials of the capital administration stated that the capital police, including SSP, SP and SHOs, had been asked to ensure implementation of the orders. They said the police would check record of the hostels and inform the district magistrate for further action, in case any irregularity was found.

The sources said that the officers would also conduct surprise inspection of hostels, including those of universities.

Officials told Dawn on condition of anonymity that the advisory was issued to ensure safety of the female students residing in hostels.

They claimed that during the current month the capital administration had received four complaints about abduction of female students who were assaulted.

The officials said these students were residing in hostels at Shalimar and Ramna, and despite being absent, the hostel managements neither informed the police nor their parents.

According to the sources, the female students informed their parents after being released by their abductors.

However, so far none of the girls have approached the police for registration of a case against the abductors, they added.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2019