LSR College to resume classes from Sep 24 after brief online shift

Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) will resume regular offline classes on its Delhi campus from Sep 24, the college said in a notice.

The announcement comes a day after the college shifted classes online following the suspension of physical classes on Sep 22. The temporary move was made after a police encounter involving an accused in the Kalkaji case took place close to the college's back gate.

In its Sep 23 notice, the college said regular classes would continue in offline mode on the campus.

The decision follows a one-day shift to online teaching. LSR had suspended classes from noon on Sep 22 after learning about the police operation near the college. Guest faculty were also asked to conduct their classes online on Wednesday.

The college administration had advised students, teachers and staff members not to gather near the back gate while it remained in communication with Delhi Police regarding security along the college perimeter.

Police encounter near college back gate

The police encounter took place around 50 metres from LSR's back gate during an operation to apprehend a man accused in a case involving the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in the Kalkaji area.

According to police, the accused, identified as Asif, opened fire at a police team attempting to arrest him and was shot in the leg during the operation. The allegations against the accused are part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

The incident prompted the college to temporarily suspend physical teaching as the administration assessed the situation around the campus.

LSR Principal Kanika K Ahuja had said that the decision to cancel classes was taken after the administration learnt about the incident, with the safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff being a priority. The college also asked faculty mentors and its counsellor to remain available to students who needed support.

The college has been in contact with Delhi Police over security arrangements around its perimeter. Earlier, the administration asked students, teachers and staff to avoid gathering near the back gate following the encounter.

The college had also sought increased police patrolling in the lanes adjoining the campus, particularly around the back gate and nearby parks.

The LSR Students' Union held an emergency online General Body Meeting following the incident. The union said the proximity of the encounter to the college had left several students concerned about their safety.

The meeting was intended to give students an opportunity to raise concerns, discuss their experiences and suggest measures related to campus security. The union also indicated that it would approach the principal's office with its concerns regarding security around the college perimeter.

With regular offline classes scheduled to resume on Sep 24, LSR's latest notice marks a return to on-campus teaching after the brief disruption.