11 hrs ago
LPU Students Protest Rape Claim, Block Highway, Campus Violence
More than 2,000 students at Lovely Professional University protested after hearing that a student may have been raped.
They said an outsider, reportedly a plumber, assaulted the student and that a hostel warden did not act on the complaint.
The university said it knew of no rape and called the claims rumours and fabricated allegations.
Police nevertheless registered a case against an unidentified person because students made a complaint.
They formed a special team to investigate what happened.
Police said they would check forensic evidence, security-camera recordings, and phone records.
Videos appeared to show fires, damaged property, and possible looting, but the reports did not confirm who caused the damage.
Students blocked a nearby highway, causing long traffic queues.
After clashes and stone-pelting, police restored traffic and the university suspended classes for 10 days.
More than 2,000 Lovely Professional University students protested in Phagwara over claims that an outsider raped a female student on campus.
Police registered a rape case against an unidentified person, formed a special investigation team, and said forensic, CCTV, and call-record evidence would be examined.
The university denied that any rape had occurred and called the allegations false, baseless, fabricated, and rumours.
Videos circulating online purportedly showed damaged property, fires, vandalised shops, damaged vehicles, and people taking goods, though the footage was not independently verified.
Students blocked NH-44 for more than 15 hours; police later restored traffic, while classes were suspended for 10 days and examinations postponed.
- Who
- Lovely Professional University students, university officials, and Punjab Police were involved.
- What
- Students protested rape allegations, damaged property and blocked a highway; police opened an investigation while the university denied the alleged incident.
- Where
- The unrest occurred at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, and on National Highway 44 outside the campus.
- When
- The protest began around 1 a.m. on Sunday; the highway was blocked from about 8 a.m. for more than 15 hours, with traffic restored overnight into Monday.
- Why
- Students demanded action over the alleged rape, stronger hostel safeguards, access to university systems, and protection from retaliation.
Student protesters' claims
University and police response
Whether a rape occurred
Student protesters' claims
Students alleged that an outsider, reportedly a plumber, raped a hostel resident and that the warden did not act after being informed.
University and police response
The university said no rape had occurred and called the claims rumours and fabricated allegations; police said the complaint remained under investigation.
Protest demands
Student protesters' claims
Students sought visits and assurances from senior university leaders, stronger women’s hostel staffing, continued access to the University Management System, and protection from retaliation.
University and police response
University officials and police said genuine grievances would be addressed and held discussions with students, although several rounds of talks were inconclusive.
Violence and property damage
Student protesters' claims
Students said they were demanding justice, while purported videos showed protesters damaging property, setting objects on fire, and allegedly taking goods.
University and police response
Officials said students threw stones at police and attacked police vehicles, injuring several officers; police used a lathi charge and later deployed a heavy force.
Key facts
- University
- Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab
- Protest size
- More than 2,000 students were reported to have participated.
- Allegation
- Students alleged that a plumber raped a hostel resident three days earlier and that a warden failed to act.
- Police investigation
- A rape case was registered against an unidentified person and a special investigation team was formed.
- Evidence
- Police said they would examine forensic samples, CCTV footage, and call records.
- Highway disruption
- Students blocked NH-44 for more than 15 hours, causing long traffic queues and diversions.
- University response
- The university denied knowledge of any rape and described the allegations as rumours, false, baseless, and fabricated.
- Academic measures
- Classes were suspended for 10 days from Monday, and midterm examinations were postponed until further notice.
Quotes
Naveen Singla
DIG of the Jalandhar Range who visited the LPU campus
“An FIR has been registered based on the students’ statement. A special investigation team (SIT) has also been formed, and a probe will be conducted along with the students’ representatives.”
deccanchronicle.com
“We spoke to the students who had some issues with the LPU administration. Efforts are underway to get them resolved. The situation is completely under control.”
deccanchronicle.com
Protesting LPU students
Students protesting at Lovely Professional University over the alleged rape claim
“We want justice.”
thehansindia.com
“we want justice”
theprint.in
Sources
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