The University of Calicut (CU) has imposed restrictions on the entry and exit of hostel residents on its main campus at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district.

University sources said that the decision was taken in view of the complaints related to substance abuse and activities of the drug mafia around the area. The students who go out of the hostels after 9.30 p.m. should enter their names in the register, explaining the reason for their exit. They should also record the re-entry time in the logbook. All the roads to the campus, except the main entrance, will be locked after 7 p.m. All the roads to the men’s hostel, except the main entrance, will be locked. A temporary gate will be installed on the newly built road linking the highway to the administration block. This gate too will be closed at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, a section of students staged a protest on the campus on Thursday (March 5) against the decision to make letters from the respective heads of the departments mandatory for continuing lab work late into the night. Leaders of the Students Federation of India claimed that the condition was withdrawn after discussions with the Registrar on Friday (March 6).

In a release, Vice-Chancellor (V-C) P. Raveendran said that strict action would be taken to curb substance abuse in and around the university. Recently, there were reports about the seizure of drugs worth lakhs of rupees around the campus premises. This was a cause for concern for the academic community. It was the responsibility of the university to ensure the safety of students on the campus and a healthy academic atmosphere, he added.