KARACHI, July 13: The frequent incidents of robberies and other criminal activities on the University of Karachi campus have shattered the confidence of its residents in the available security system. The careworn teaching and non-teaching staff living on campus question if there is any other sort of protection in a situation where criminals are free to execute their designs even in the presence of Rangers and the varsity’s watch and ward staff.

In a recent incident of broad daylight robbery, the family of a senior faculty member and a former dean of KU’s Arts Faculty, Dr Abuzar Wajidi, was deprived of cash, prize bonds, jewellery, a digital camera and cellular phones on July 9 while the professor was at a departmental meeting.

Quoting his family members, Dr Wajdi said seven to eight armed persons barged into his residence at around 2.30 pm, a B category bungalow meant for senior teachers, and held hostage his wife, children and others, and combed every living room.

The residence is hardly one furlong away from one university main gate and is in a busy area. An FIR has been lodged; however, the police are still clueless about the incident.

Senior teachers were of the view that the criminals had come from outside, otherwise they would have covered their faces to avert identification.

Those not opposed to the view also said that such a daring act by anyone could not have been possible without enjoying the support of insiders on campus.

A teacher, considered very social among KU residents, said that during the last some months, at least half a dozen houses of teachers were robbed, while numerous incidents of car-breaking and snatching mobiles phones were also reported.

Sometimes, actions against criminals are not materialized as they are related to the varsity staff, added the teacher. He said teachers were now somehow thoughtful on the issue and were of the view that parents failing to prevent their wards from anti-social activities should leave the residential blocks of the varsity.

Speaking about the watch and ward system, a KU official said that posts of security staff or chowkidars had been curtailed to 157, even though the campus was continuously expanding.

Physically there are only 140 watch and ward personnel against 75 departments and institutes, 405 houses, and six major entry points, added the official, saying that permanent deployment of vigilance staff was required at no less than 24 points, including the examinations and enrolment departments, and libraries.

Guards do not have any kinds of weapons or effective mode of communication. There is no detail about guns and other vigilance and monitoring equipment purchased about some years back, to know if these are intact, missing, or biting the dust.

“No one knows,” said a teacher, and apprehended that the same was the case of walkie-talkies and the varsity’s communication tower, which had consumed a considerable part of the varsity exchequer in the past.

In the meantime, the Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) has stressed the need to streamline the security system at the university on modern lines.

A meeting of the KUTS Executive Committee chaired by its President, Prof Sohail Barkati, while expressing concern over the robbery at the residence of Dr Abuzar Wajidi, called the varsity administration to hire the services of a private security agency, particularly for deployment in the varsity’s residential areas.

Teachers also suggested installation of a modern electronic system for checking vehicles, besides calling for the scrutiny of particulars and procedure of recruitment of chowkidars hired during the past two years.

The meeting also expressed concern over the growing incidents of cellphone snatching on the campus.

Talking to Dawn, the newly inducted KU Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr Akhlaq Ahmed, said the VC had also held a meeting on Wednesday with deans of faculties, registrar and senior teaching and non-teaching staff residing on the campus on the issue of security.

After discussions, a committee was formed, which would place its recommendations on the subject to the VC for making the vigilance and surveillance system on campus more effective.

A KU communiqué said the VC had also ordered an increase in the patrolling of Rangers on campus.