Some things, however, haven't changed: the security budget -- static at Rs 12 lakhs for eight years -- and the security personnel, which still numbers 70.

The fallout is easily quantified: from four incidents of violence in 1991, to 14 till July 1999. It's perhaps natural. The 70-strong squad have to take care of an area of 11,12,151 sq m; that's one man per 15,887 sq m!

It should surprise no one, then, that miscreants can sneak into the main campus and set a departmental staircase on fire under the cover of darkness. Or that ``protestors'' -- no matter what they are protesting against -- can vent their angst at university property with impunity.

True, two guards have been suspended in the staircase burning case -- they were not around after 11 pm, when the incident occurred -- but even university officials agree this is not the solution to the security problem.

Considering the vast area under question -- five faculties in the main campus, the Faculties of Fine Arts, Management Studies, Performing Arts and Technology, the Polytechnic, the Padra College of Commerce and the Waghodia College, the university press and three hostels in Pratapgunj and Fatehgunj and the university main office -- the answer leaps to the eye.

``Their number is barely enough to ensure fool-proof security'', admits a senior university administrator. ``There are no controls at the entrance/exit points; though the securitymen are supposed to be on duty there, they rarely are.''

``The current strength can just about do a single shift; instead they have to do three'', points out a senior administrative official.

The problem is compounded by the fact that university security is not in the hands of one officer or administrator. While some 25 men are employed by the university, 45 belong to the Vigilance Squad, under DySP V S Shinde.

The 25-strong university squad is the remnant of a team that had 50 men in 1991. ``There were some vacancies even then. But soon after the university sought to fill them up, a Government Resolution banned recruitment. Since then, 25 more people have retired'', explains an officer in the know.

``We had told the government last year itself that we needed more security, but we're yet to get a go-ahead to recruit people'', says Vice-Chancellor Anil Kane.

``Basically, the university needs 210 guards if there's to be any semblance of security'', says an official. ``But for that, the budget has to be larger, around Rs 18 lakhs.'' This will take care of staff salaries, maintenance and infrastructure.

``Because of the crisis, we have to fall back on the police'', says Kane. ``Since we can't recruit more people, the only way out is to beef up private security.''

But that proposal, too, will run into budgetary problems.

The man with whom all the answers lie, Minister of Higher Education Bharatsinh Barot only had this to say: ``The ban on recruitment means no more staff can be employed. And so far as the finances are concerned, well, I haven't received any request for more allocations in the six months that I've been in charge.''

And there the matter rests.