Cuttack, Sept. 22: The Ravenshaw University has requested police to intensify patrolling ahead of the students' union polls on October 5.

The university authorities have sought more regular and intense police patrolling, especially keeping in mind the recent clashes between various students' groups on the campus.

Vice-chancellor Prakash Chandra Sarangi told The Telegraph: "The registrar has already written a letter to the deputy commissioner of police in this regard."

The university has also initiated a number of measures to tighten the security in the hostels and on the campus ahead of the students' union polls.

"We will increase the number of CCTV cameras to keep tabs on goons as they might try to enter the campus and create problems during the union polls," said Sarangi.

At present, the varsity has 22 closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) cameras on the campus, and 30 more will be installed soon to further beef up campus security.

The university has also formed a special disciplinary committee with senior faculty members and hostel wardens to restrict the entry of outsiders, especially in the boy's hostels.

The hostel authorities have been instructed that after 9pm students would only be allowed inside the varsity after the physical verification of their identity cards.

"We will shortly convene an emergency staff council meeting to chalk out a strategy for peaceful conduct of students' union polls in the varsity," Sarangi said.

The authorities have issued directives to the students and aspiring candidates to refrain themselves from any kind of violence. They said that in case of violence, the polls would be cancelled.

The aspiring candidates have started campaigning, which is likely to gain momentum after the filing of nominations on September 29. According to the notification issued by the department of higher education, the students' union election will be held on October 5 at all colleges in the state.

"A lot of candidates have put up banners and posters on the campus. We hope that the elections passes off peacefully as there has been no incidents of violence," said Priti Swain, a student.