Bhubaneswar: With student union elections scheduled for Oct 15, Odisha police have sought active cooperation from colleges and universities to keep campuses free of outsiders and prevent attempts to influence the polls.Apprehending interference by outsiders and political functionaries, which had triggered law-and-order problems during campus elections in the past, police are drawing up a security strategy in coordination with educational institutions. Police are particularly cautious as student union elections are being held in the state after eight years, raising concerns about heightened political activity on campuses.“I will soon hold a meeting with all superintendents of police (SPs) and DCPs. Access for outsiders to poll-bound colleges and universities will be prohibited. We will take adequate security measures for the peaceful conduct of student elections,” DGP (in-charge) Vinaytosh Mishra told TOI.He said the SPs and DCPs would assess the security requirements of educational institutions in their respective areas and take necessary measures. “We will ask the SPs and DCPs to hold meetings with the management of colleges and universities in their areas. There should be close coordination between police and educational institutions,” he said.He added police would avoid unnecessary entry into campuses unless a law-and-order situation arose.The police will also issue an advisory to the colleges and universities, listing steps to maintain order and facilitate polling.Meanwhile, police have asked college and university authorities to keep a watch on outsiders entering campuses and report any suspicious activity. They have also been advised to monitor hostels, deploy adequate private security personnel and ensure the proper functioning of CCTV cameras.In Bhubaneswar, special security arrangements will be made at major educational institutions. “We have activated our intelligence network. The inspectors in charge of the police stations concerned have been asked to regularly interact with students, and college and university authorities and take them into confidence,” DCP Saravana Vivek M said.He added police would maintain a round-the-clock vigil outside campuses. A social media monitoring cell will also be activated to track and act against those circulating objectionable or provocative content linked to the elections.