Bhubaneswar, Aug. 31: Police will convene a meeting with college and university authorities to ascertain the need for security arrangements on campuses ahead of the students' unions elections scheduled to take place on September 23.

D.R. College, Nayapalli, has already witnessed poll-related violence after three students were injured in a clash with a group of students and outsiders on August 12. College and university campuses across the state have been reeling from violence in the run-up to students' union elections for the past few years and police officers do not want to take any chances this year.

Sources said Saheed Nagar police has already submitted a requisition for a platoon of personnel for Utkal University, one section each for Rama Devi Women's University and Maharshi College of Natural Law.

'Our personnel will be deployed round the clock at Utkal University, which is the most politically sensitive campus in the city. Our first and foremost priority will be to restrict the entry of outsiders on the campuses that often leads to untoward incidents,' said a police officer.

The varsity has had to deal with violence ahead of students' union elections in the past as well, leading to the polls being cancelled in 2012, 2013 and 2015. While elections have taken place regularly since then, there has always been heavy security to prevent any violence.

The varsity authorities have already issued a notice to strictly comply with Lyngdoh Committee guidelines.

Students also asked police and college authorities to restrict entry of outsiders. 'Violence has become a regular affair on campuses during polls. Few students resort to violence during the polls with the help of outsiders and it affects thousands of others. So far, the campus has remained peaceful, but if the entry of outsiders is not prohibited, chances of violence cannot be ruled out,' said varsity student Sanjukta Jena.

The police also urged the college authorities concerned to initiate stringent measures to curb the entry of outsiders.

'Most colleges and universities have already roped in private security guards to man entry and exit points. They should check the identity cards of students before they are allowed to enter the campus. The responsibility of not allowing outsiders should lie with the college authorities. It is not possible for us to identify students and non-students as the latter always find ways to procure the uniforms,' said a police officer.

Last year, BJB Autonomous College witnessed several cases of unrest after the authorities cancelled the polls. The institute was also declared closed sine die on September 28 after an outbreak of violence on campus.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said all police stations concerned have been asked to keep a vigil on the campuses before polls.

'The meeting with college and university authorities will be held to find out specific problems related to law and order of particular institutes. We will also ask the college authorities to initiate action against students who indulge in campus violence,' he said.

Student outfits have already begun preparations for the polls across campuses. Several organisation have begun their campaigning after finalising candidates for students' union various posts. Utkal University will be the top priority of all students' organisations as this will be the first time that polls will be held in consecutive years in the past six years.