The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata has witnessed a major security buildup following two alleged incidents of violence involving students within eight days.

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The campus was surrounded by multiple layers of barricades and police personnel on Tuesday, with security measures introduced along roads leading to the institute and near its main entrance. According to an institute official, work was also underway to raise the height of the main gate, install barbed wire along boundary walls and add an iron grille to prevent people from entering the campus by climbing over the walls.

The heightened security reportedly followed a request from Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera.

The developments came after students were allegedly attacked on September 27 by members of the RSS-linked Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP), following protests over the organisation’s use of SRFTI’s main auditorium. On October 4, members of the Hindu Jagran Manch allegedly attempted to enter the campus. The organisation had accused students of disrespecting images of Swami Vivekananda and Bharat Mata during the earlier incident.

Students and academics have criticised the administration over campus security and questioned the decision to allow an RSS-linked organisation to use institute infrastructure.

The police have not made arrests in connection with the alleged attacks, according to statements cited in the report. Meanwhile, students have expressed concern that the extensive security arrangements are changing the atmosphere of an institution intended to provide an open environment for creative and artistic work.