HighLights
  1. Students protested at LPU Phagwara over unverified social media claims.
  2. Protesters vandalized campus property and blocked the national highway.
  3. Police found no evidence of alleged crime, citing only rumours.

A late-night protest at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab's Phagwara turned violent after unverified social media claims about a female student's alleged rape spread across the campus. Around 2,000 students gathered near the girls' hostel before the protest escalated, with students blocking the national highway and allegedly vandalising university property.

The protest began after messages about an alleged incident involving a female student circulated on social media. Some posts also alleged the involvement of a university worker.

According to DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla, a large number of LPU students blocked the National Highway around 2 am on Saturday, demanding action over the alleged incident.

"Early this morning at 2 AM, a large number of LPU students blocked the National Highway here. Their primary demand was that three days ago a girl from the G3 hostel was raped, and no action had been taken regarding this until now. We have received their statement. We have initiated the registration of an FIR, and they will receive a copy shortly," ANI quoted Singla.

Police have initiated the registration of an FIR based on the statement submitted by the protesting students. The complaint currently states that a girl residing in the G3 hostel was allegedly raped three days ago, with the accused yet to be identified.

FIR Over Alleged Rape Claim

Singla said the case was being registered against an unknown person at this stage and that the identity and other details of the alleged victim were part of the investigation.

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"The complaint currently states only that a girl residing in the G3 hostel was raped, so the FIR is being registered against an unknown person for now, though the G3 hostel is mentioned in the details. The girl is a resident of the G3 hostel, but her name is not yet clear; that is part of the investigation," Singla said.

He said investigators would examine CCTV footage, forensic evidence and phone data, while a special investigation team would be formed.

"Technically, the investigation will involve forensic analysis, CCTV footage review, and phone data analysis. Furthermore, the investigation will be conducted in consultation with student representatives," Singla said.

"I want to assure you that the investigation will be conducted scientifically; we will form a special investigation team to carry out the probe and apprehend the culprit quickly," he added.

Students Vandalise Campus, Set Objects On Fire

The situation escalated as protesters allegedly smashed window panes, threw bricks and flower pots and damaged other university property. Videos circulating on social media showed objects being set on fire inside the campus.

Police said the protest also resulted in extensive damage to university property.

LPU Calls Social Media Claims False

Following the unrest and police action, LPU authorities said certain anti-social elements were spreading "completely false, baseless and fabricated rumours" through social media and other channels, creating confusion among students and attempting to disturb the university's academic environment.

"The rumours circulating on social media are false and misleading and circulated by mischievous sources. You are advised not to participate in any unrest, to remain safely inside your hostel/room/residence, and to avoid involvement in any provocative or disruptive activities. Kindly cooperate in maintaining a calm and orderly campus environment," the university said.

The university urged students to remain inside their hostels, rooms or residences and avoid participating in any provocative or disruptive activity.

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Students Raise Other Demands

Apart from the alleged rape case, protesting students also raised several demands concerning the university's boys' and girls' hostels.

"They have other demands as well, and a meeting regarding these has been scheduled for 12:00 PM with the LPU management. There are specific demands concerning both the boys' and girls' hostels. We have spoken to the student leaders, and the meeting will take place at 12:00 PM," Singla said.

Police later cleared the highway and deployed additional personnel at the university. The road has since been reopened, while discussions between student representatives and the university administration are continuing.

The LPU unrest came a day after a separate protest at Chitkara University in Patiala over other unverified social media claims involving female students.


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