Jalandhar: A massive protest erupted at the Lovely Professional University (LPU) campus in Punjab’s Phagwara on Sunday after rumours of an alleged rape of a female student surfaced. The agitation took a violent turn late at night as hundreds of angry students clashed with the police, pelted stones, and set police vehicles on fire.
The unrest began on Saturday night following unverified claims circulated on social media and student groups, alleging that a female student residing in room number 504 of Girls’ Hostel-3 had been sexually assaulted by an outsider. The rumours further alleged a cover-up by the administration and even claimed a student suicide, sparking severe outrage among the student body.
As the situation escalated on Sunday, students began vandalising campus property and blocked a stretch of the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway-44, causing severe traffic disruptions. When the police intervened to restore order, the protesters hurled heavy stones and water bottles at the security personnel. In retaliation, the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to drive the students back inside the campus gates. However, the agitating students retaliated forcefully, vandalising multiple vehicles and setting police SUVs ablaze, causing massive explosions.
Following the intense standoff, the Punjab Police registered an FIR against unknown persons and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. Sub-Inspector Navjot Kaur has been appointed as the investigating officer for the case.
Superintendent of Police Major Singh, who was stationed at the campus throughout the night, stated that the police are thoroughly investigating the matter. “We are trying to ascertain the identity of the alleged victim and verify the facts of the incident. We have asked students to record their statements, and an investigation based on CCTV footage and forensic evidence is underway,” he said.
Meanwhile, the LPU administration has firmly denied the allegations, dismissing them as “baseless and fabricated rumours” aimed at disrupting the peaceful academic environment. Saurabh Lakhanpal, Dean of Student Welfare, assured full cooperation with the authorities. “The university is ready for any kind of investigation. We can even include student representatives in the probe to ensure transparency and build trust,” he stated.
The protesting students are demanding a fair and transparent probe, the immediate sealing of the hostel room in question, and a thorough review of all CCTV footage to uncover the truth behind the viral claims.