Authorities of North Bengal University reconstituted the institution’s anti-ragging committee on Monday.

The initiative has been taken at a time when the state is witnessing protests over the death of a first-year student of Jadavpur University in Calcutta. He is suspected to be a victim of ragging.

“The anti-ragging committee has been reconstituted for a period of two years. The acting vice-chancellor is its chairman. An anti-ragging squad will work under the supervision of the committee,” said a source.

While the committee will have supervisory and advisory roles on matters to preserve a culture of a ragging-free environment on the varsity campus, the squad will be engaged in the work of checking places like hostels, buses, canteens, classrooms, and other places.

“Members of the squad shall educate students across the varsity about the menace of ragging and related provisions of punishment,” the source added.

Rathin Banerjee, the acting vice-chancellor of the NBU, said the anti-ragging committee would be involved in designing strategies and action plans to curb the menace of ragging through an array of activities.

“There are specific guidelines of the UGC which make it necessary to have such a committee in higher educational institutions. A rally on anti-ragging will be organized on Thursday to observe the anti-ragging week (August 12 to August 1) as advised by the UGC,” said Banerjee.

NBU sources said that if any instance of ragging is brought to the notice of the administration or the faculty, it is legally binding on the institution to report the matter to the local police.

“Any interaction between freshers and seniors where the seniors are friendly, welcoming, and non-aggressive, will be encouraged,” said a faculty member.