Bihar Police survey finds 355 unregistered private hostels for girls, women in state

Patna, Jul 17 (PTI) A recent survey conducted by the Bihar Police has found that 355 unregistered private hostels for girls and women are operational in the state, an official statement said on Friday. The police intensified a statewide drive to identify such unauthorised accommodations after the death of a female NEET aspirant in early January. The NEET aspirant, hailing from Jehanabad, was found unconscious in a girls' hostel in Patna's Chitragupt Nagar in January. She died at a private hospital after remaining in a coma for several days. Her family alleged that she was sexually assaulted, accusing authorities of attempting a cover-up. According to the statement issued by the Bihar Police, out of the total 469 private hostels for girls and women operating across the state, only 114 have registered themselves with the competent authority. Police have now issued formal notices to the remaining 355 unregistered private hostels to get themselves registered at the earliest, the statement read. The police survey also found that out of a total of 783 hostels for girls and women, 700 have installed CCTV cameras and 281 have implemented biometric attendance systems, while 658 are maintaining a visitor register. Police instructed all hostel managements to strictly maintain these safety protocols. A campaign titled 'Operation Vidhi Palak Yuvak' is proposed to be conducted from July 21 to August 10 ahead of the 80th Independence Day. Under the campaign, pamphlets will be distributed among male students at the district level to create awareness about the penal and legal provisions related to crimes against women and girls, the statement added. PTI SUK ACD