Chandigarh: Panjab University (PU) has decided to install over 50 CCTV cameras all across its campus here in order to maintain law and order.

"Earlier we had installed CCTV cameras on a trial basis in the canteens and at the entrance of all the hostels. The response was good and now we have decided to install these devices at various sensitive locations of the university in the coming days," Naval Kishore, Dean of students' welfare, told sources here on Thursday.

"These cameras would help us keep an eye on any anti-social behaviour and on students who are habitual offenders," stated Kishore.

A central control room will be made in the administrative block to scrutinize round the clock campus activities. Records would be kept for three months.

"CCTV cameras would be of great help to track the activities of the students who are staying in hostels. Usually they come late in the night, often accompanied by outsiders and it is not always feasible for us to question them at those odd hours," warden of a boys' hostel told sources on the condition of anonymity.

He added: "Many times they also bring liquor inside the hostel rooms and get into brawls but easily escape punishment. Now the fact that somebody is keeping an eye on them will certainly deter them from indulging in such activities."

Even the students are quite happy with PU's decision.

Akanksha Sethi, a research scholar here, said: "The cameras would curb the rampant violent incidents on campus." IANS