The security issue was thrown up after a youth entered the unguarded girls’ hostel of the varsity on Sunday and shot dead a student, Saswati Pal. Minutes later, he shot himself and died at the hospital.

Roy, who was in Bangalore when Sunday’s murder took place, returned to the campus on Tuesday. Immediately after reaching office, Roy called an inter-departmental meeting that was attended by the principals of the various bhabanas or schools.

“Visva-Bharati’s culture and heritage does not allow for tight security as implied by the term. We will instead like more self-discipline,” Roy told reporters after the meeting. However, a source in the administration maintained: “The campus has 10 entry points which can be manned by security guards. Just as many people think that culture and heritage should not be lost, others feel that a perimeter security will not be obtrusive.”

Meanwhile, the local police continued to question friends of Saswati. Police sources said they now suspect the involvement of a third party in her killing.