FTII Itanagar students on 'academic halt', seek CISF security after alleged assault on campus

Students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Itanagar, have announced an academic halt from September 17 following an alleged incident of physical violence involving students, a faculty member and local individuals on September 16.

In a letter dated September 18 to the Vice-Chancellor of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, the Students’ Council said the incident took place at around 6:30 pm. According to the students, three students were involved in a verbal altercation with a group of local individuals, following which one student was allegedly hit with a stick. A faculty member who intervened was also allegedly assaulted.

The students further alleged that one of the individuals later struck another student, who was not involved in the initial altercation, on the head with a bamboo stick. They said the individual allegedly continued to abuse and threaten the student's friends when they intervened. The students also alleged that institute authorities faced threats and intimidation when they attempted to intervene.

The Students’ Council said the incident has raised concerns about the safety of students, faculty members and staff. It also said students have repeatedly raised concerns about aggressive behaviour, verbal abuse, intimidation and threats by local individuals since their admission to the institute.

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Students demand CISF deployment

The students have demanded the immediate deployment of CISF personnel in and around the campus. They said the deployment has been pending for more than 16 months due to an unresolved accommodation issue.

According to the Students’ Council, students were informed in May 2025 that CISF personnel were ready for deployment but accommodation remained an issue. The students said the matter was still unresolved as of September 17, 2026.

The students have also demanded an interim security arrangement until CISF personnel are deployed. Other demands include a comprehensive security audit, better lighting and surveillance, visitor registration, emergency communication facilities, stronger access control and the appointment of an officer responsible for handling security incidents.

Students raise concerns over campus security

The Students’ Council said security concerns have been raised repeatedly since students joined the institute. It said students have reported issues involving unauthorised entry, inadequate monitoring, threats, harassment and the absence of an effective emergency response system.

The students have also raised concerns about security arrangements at the girls’ hostel. They have sought stricter access controls, proper recording of entries, adequate female security personnel and an accountability mechanism for violations of hostel protocols.

The students also alleged that some existing security personnel may have connections with local residents, which they said raises concerns about impartiality and accountability. The Students’ Council has sought an independent review of the administration’s response to the security complaints.

FTII Itanagar students oppose curfew

During discussions with authorities, a curfew was proposed as a possible response to the security concerns. However, the students said a curfew would not address the underlying safety issues.

They said a curfew would also be impractical for a film school as students may need to work beyond conventional hours for shoots, screenings, editing and other academic activities.

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Students demand Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)

The Students’ Council has demanded an institution-specific Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at FTII Itanagar. It said more than 10 complaints have reportedly been registered and that students need a locally accessible mechanism to raise complaints.

The proposed committee should receive complaints confidentially, provide interim protection where required, assist complainants in approaching the police and protect complainants and witnesses from retaliation, according to the students.

Demand for local outreach committee

The students have also proposed a Local Outreach Committee comprising representatives of the administration, faculty, students and, where appropriate, local or tribal communities.

According to the Students’ Council, the committee could help communicate the purpose of filmmaking activities to local residents, assist students with permissions and consent requirements, maintain communication with local representatives and help resolve disputes related to academic shoots.

The students said their objective is not to create conflict with the administration or local community. They said they want a safe and professionally managed institution where students can pursue filmmaking while maintaining respectful relations with people in the region.

Students seek police outpost near campus

The Students’ Council has also demanded a formal legal and emergency response mechanism for incidents involving harassment, assault and threats connected with institute activities.

The students have called for a designated institutional officer to coordinate with police and other authorities, assist students and faculty in filing complaints, arrange medical and legal support and help preserve evidence.

The specific demands include immediate protective measures following the FIR, CISF deployment, a committee with faculty and student representatives to oversee the legal proceedings, a permanent committee to improve communication between the institute and local residents, and a police outpost near the campus.

The Students’ Council has requested an in-person meeting with the SRFTI Vice-Chancellor, Joint Secretary, District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner, along with student representatives. It said the academic halt will continue until effective measures are implemented to ensure the safety and dignity of students.

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FTII Itanagar security complaints

Students have also raised security concerns in previous communications with authorities, including complaints about campus security, unauthorised entry, security personnel and incidents around hostel and campus areas. A July 2026 communication sought a comprehensive review of the campus security framework, stronger security infrastructure and personnel deployment, night-time security, surveillance and emergency response mechanisms.

The Students’ Council said the September 16 incident marked a serious escalation from earlier complaints of verbal abuse and threats to alleged physical violence involving students and a faculty member.

The Students’ Council has requested an in-person meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of SRFTI, the Joint Secretary, the District Magistrate and the Deputy Commissioner, along with student representatives. It said the academic halt will continue until effective safety measures are implemented.