1 hr ago
LPU Suspends Classes After Violent Protests Over Rape Allegation
Students at Lovely Professional University protested after reports of an alleged rape involving a hostel resident spread on social media.
The exact details of the allegation were disputed, including whether an electrician or plumber was involved.
Students said they wanted justice, better hostel safety and answers from university officials.
Police registered a case against an unknown person and began checking evidence, cameras and phone records.
The university said no rape had occurred on campus and called the allegations false.
The protest blocked a national highway and later became violent.
Police reported that vehicles were attacked and set on fire, while another report also described damage to university property.
Extra police arrived and said the situation was under control.
The university then suspended classes for 10 days and postponed midterm exams.
Lovely Professional University suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed midterm examinations after protests turned violent.
Students blocked the Jalandhar-Amritsar highway and demanded justice, accountability, stronger hostel security and female-only hostel staff.
Police reported stone-pelting, injuries and vehicle fires, while another account also reported damage to university buildings and property.
Police registered an FIR against an unknown person and formed a special investigation team to examine forensic evidence, CCTV footage and call records.
LPU denied that a rape occurred on campus, calling the allegations fabricated, while students accused authorities of suppressing details.
- Who
- Lovely Professional University students, university officials and Punjab Police were involved; students protested over an alleged rape, while the university denied that it occurred.
- What
- A student protest over the allegation became violent, prompting an FIR, a police investigation, a major police deployment and the suspension of classes.
- Where
- The events occurred at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara and on the Jalandhar-Amritsar national highway, also identified as NH-44.
- When
- The protest began around 2 a.m. on Sunday and escalated again Sunday evening, with the situation reportedly controlled around 11 p.m.; the alleged incident was described as occurring three days earlier.
- Why
- Students sought justice, details about the alleged incident, protection from disciplinary action and improved security and staffing in women’s hostels.
Students and Protesters
University Administration and Police
Whether the alleged rape occurred
Students and Protesters
Students said a hostel resident had been raped and alleged that a hostel warden had been informed without taking action. Accounts differed over whether the alleged perpetrator was a plumber or electrician.
University Administration and Police
LPU denied that any rape occurred on campus and described the allegation as false, baseless and fabricated. Police said the matter remained under investigation.
Handling of the incident
Students and Protesters
Students accused the university and police of trying to suppress details and demanded justice, accountability and assurances from Founder-Chancellor Ashok Mittal.
University Administration and Police
The university said some elements were attempting to disturb its academic environment, while police said an FIR and special investigation team had been established.
Responsibility for the violence
Students and Protesters
Student representatives said the protest was peaceful and alleged that outsiders wearing masks and carrying sticks or hockey sticks had joined and caused the violence.
University Administration and Police
Police said protesters threw bottles, stones and bricks, attacked vehicles and set vehicles on fire. The university described the protest as part of a pre-planned conspiracy to defame it.
Key facts
- Class suspension
- Regular classes were suspended for 10 days.
- Examinations
- Midterm examinations were postponed.
- Police case
- An FIR was registered against an unknown person over the alleged rape.
- Investigation
- A special investigation team is examining forensic evidence, CCTV footage, call records and witness statements.
- Reported violence
- Police said protesters threw bottles and stones, injured personnel, set two vehicles on fire and damaged four or five others.
- Additional damage
- Another report described multiple vehicles, university buildings, security kiosks, signboards, attendance counters and other property being damaged or burned.
- University position
- LPU denied that a rape took place on campus and called the allegations false, baseless and fabricated.
- Student demands
- Students sought accountability, continued University Management System access, protection from action over the protest and female-only staffing in women’s hostels.
Quotes
Student protesters
Students protesting the alleged incident at Lovely Professional University
“We want justice”
theprint.in
Sources
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