Spy camera kicks up a row at JBB

Updated on: Monday, July 04, 2011

The Jawahar Bal Bhavan (JBB) here is rocked by a controversy after a spy camera was found installed in the library. Teaching activities have come to a standstill after the incident came to light 10 days ago..

Preliminary investigations revealed that the planting of the camera was an inside job. The situation has turned tense with the intervention of outsiders. An emergency meeting between the director board and the staff union was held on Sunday.

JBB Welfare Union leaders said the camera had captured images of two staff members installing it in the library. They had switched on the camera and perhaps were not aware of it while taking it to the library. A young man who is not a staff member is also involved in the incident, they said..

“The purpose behind placing the camera remains a mystery. This has given rise to fears whether such cameras have been planted in rooms used by women staff and students,” the union leaders said. The camera has been handed over to K. Thankappan, executive director of JBB.

At the director board meeting of the JBB on Sunday, some staff members alleged that anti-social elements were brought to the institution on Saturday to threaten the staff members who had found the spy camera and had reported it to the authorities concerned.

Mr. Thankappan told The Hindu that he would meet District Collector P.G. Thomas (who is the ex-officio chairman of the JBB) in a day or two and take a decision on the course of action. The union members have demanded disciplinary action against the two staff members. They have sought a detailed probe into the incident after placing the two staff members allegedly involved in the incident under suspension. The union has warned the authorities concerned of a strike if its demands are not met. They said the incident could damage the reputation of the 38-year-old institute.

Spy camera kicks up a row at JBB

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