LSR to resume classes on Sept 24 after encounter near campus sparked safety concerns

Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), University of Delhi, will resume regular offline classes on its campus from Thursday, September 24, after temporarily suspending in-person teaching following a police encounter near its back gate that triggered safety concerns among students.

In a notice dated September 23, the college said classes would “continue in regular offline mode” from Thursday on the college premises. The notice was issued by LSR Principal Kanika K Ahuja. LSR is a NAAC A++ accredited college under the University of Delhi.

The decision to resume offline classes comes a day after the college shifted teaching online. LSR had suspended classes from noon on Tuesday, September 22, after an accused in the Kalkaji gang-rape case was injured in a police encounter around 50 metres from the college's back gate.

The college administration had advised students, teachers and staff members not to gather near the back gate and said it was in communication with Delhi Police regarding security along the college perimeter. Guest faculty were also asked to conduct their classes online on Wednesday.

WHY LSR CLASSES WERE SUSPENDED

The police encounter followed an operation to apprehend Asif, one of three men accused in the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Mandir.

According to police, Asif opened fire at a police team during an early-morning operation and was shot in the leg. The encounter took place close to LSR, raising concerns among students about the safety of the area surrounding the women's college.

LSR Principal Ahuja had earlier said the administration cancelled classes after learning about the incident, stressing that the safety, security and well-being of students remained a priority. Faculty mentors and the college counsellor were also asked to remain available for students requiring support.

AFTER KALKAJI HORROR, STUDENTS RAISE SAFETY CONCERNS

The encounter also prompted the LSR Students' Union to call an emergency online General Body Meeting. The union said the proximity of the incident to the college had left many students “shaken and unsafe”.

The students' body said the meeting would provide a platform for students to raise concerns, share their experiences and discuss measures they wanted to see for improving safety around the college. It also planned to approach the Principal's office with demands concerning security around the college perimeter.

Concerns were also raised by students about security around the back gate and the route towards Moolchand. Students cited issues including inadequate police patrolling, harassment concerns and non-functional safety infrastructure such as pink booths. Teachers also expressed solidarity with the safety concerns raised by students.

SOLIDARITY MARCH PLANNED

The safety concerns have also led LSR students to organise a solidarity march following the Kalkaji incident. The march is scheduled to begin from the college's back gate, close to where the encounter took place.

Students have raised concerns not only about the immediate incident but also about safety in areas surrounding the college and nearby paying guest accommodations. According to India Today TV's report, students have spoken about inadequate police patrolling despite previous complaints related to harassment and stalking.

SECURITY CONCERNS AROUND AASTHA KUNJ PARK

The broader safety concerns emerged after the alleged gang-rape of the 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Mandir.

Investigators have also found several security gaps at the park, including the absence of CCTV cameras at entry and exit points, poor lighting, unmanned gates and portions of the boundary wall that had collapsed. The three accused — Asif, Hemant and his younger brother Mukesh — were arrested on Tuesday, with Asif being taken into custody after the exchange of fire near LSR.