Following the suspicious death of a NEET aspirant at a girls’ hostel in Patna, the Bihar government has introduced new strict guidelines for all girls’ hostels and lodges in the state. These guidelines aim to enhance security measures and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Under the new rules, registration is now mandatory for all girls’ hostels and lodges. Each police station will maintain a detailed record of hostels within its jurisdiction to ensure prompt access to information when needed.
The Women’s Help Desk at local police stations has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing this task. The government has mandated that all girls’ hostels must have a female warden available round-the-clock for supervision and assistance.
The government has made police verification compulsory for all hostel staff, including wardens, security guards, cooks, and cleaning personnel. Additionally, CCTV cameras are required to be installed at main entry gates, corridors, dining areas, and hostel premises for heightened security.
To further bolster safety measures, hostels must ensure adequate lighting, proper sanitation facilities, strong doors and locks, and iron grilles on windows to prevent unauthorized access. Strict monitoring of visitors has been ordered, with detailed records of visitors’ information to be maintained.
Entry of men into residential areas of hostels has been strictly prohibited. Hostels are encouraged to implement a biometric system to track the night attendance of students and staff, promoting accountability and safety.
Posters displaying emergency contact details, including local police stations, Women’s Help Desk, Abhaya Brigade, and the 112 helpline, must be prominently displayed inside hostels. Students will also receive education on the safety features of the 112 India mobile app.
Regular inspections of hostels will be conducted by the police, Women’s Help Desk, and Abhaya Brigade to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Authorities have emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards safety lapses and have pledged immediate action upon receiving reports of suspicious or criminal activities.
The tragic incident involving the NEET aspirant at Shambhu Girls’ Hostel in Patna has raised concerns, leading to a transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Bihar government. The implementation of these stringent safety norms for hostels underscores the state’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of girls and women across Bihar.
