1 hr ago
Bihar CM Seeks Student Safety Measures Amid LPU Unrest
Students at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara held protests after claims spread about a possible sexual assault involving a female student.
The claims have not been proven.
Students also connected the claims to another student’s death.
The university said the alleged assault did not happen on campus and called the claims false rumours.
Police are investigating and examining CCTV, forensic material and phone data.
The protests grew, with reported property damage and clashes between students and police.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary asked about the safety of students from Bihar.
The university suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed exams.
Students were allowed to go home after consulting their parents or guardians.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary spoke with LPU founder Ashok Mittal about Bihar students’ safety.
The unrest followed unverified claims of a sexual assault involving a female student and another student’s death.
LPU denied the alleged campus assault, calling the claims false, baseless and fabricated rumours.
Protests escalated into clashes, property damage and disruption on the Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch of NH-44.
LPU suspended classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed mid-term examinations.
- Who
- Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, LPU founder Ashok Mittal, university students and Punjab Police are involved.
- What
- Authorities are responding to campus unrest, investigating an unverified sexual-assault allegation and examining related violence and property damage.
- Where
- Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab; protests also disrupted the Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch of NH-44.
- When
- The chief minister spoke on Monday; regular classes were suspended for 10 days from September 28.
- Why
- Concerns about student safety and allegations circulating among students and on social media triggered protests and official action.
Student Claims and Concerns
University Denial and Official Investigation
Alleged sexual assault
Student Claims and Concerns
Claims circulated among students and on social media that a female student was sexually assaulted on the university campus.
University Denial and Official Investigation
LPU denied that the alleged assault occurred on campus and described the claims as false, baseless and fabricated rumours.
Connection to another student’s death
Student Claims and Concerns
Students linked the alleged assault claims to the death of another student.
University Denial and Official Investigation
The articles state that the allegations have not been established; police are continuing their investigation.
Protest violence and response
Student Claims and Concerns
Protesters gathered in large numbers, and reports said that property was damaged, objects were set on fire and police vehicles were targeted.
University Denial and Official Investigation
Police said protesters pelted stones and that officers acted to disperse the mob; authorities separately continue examining the violence and damage.
Key facts
- University
- Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab
- Bihar response
- Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary spoke with LPU founder and Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal.
- Investigation
- Police registered an FIR against an unidentified person and formed a Special Investigation Team.
- Evidence examined
- Investigators are examining CCTV footage, forensic material and phone data.
- Academic measures
- Regular classes were suspended for 10 days from September 28, and mid-term examinations were postponed.
- Road disruption
- The Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch of NH-44 was disrupted for more than 15 hours before traffic was restored.
- Student guidance
- Students could return home after consulting parents or guardians; those staying were advised to remain in hostels or residences.
Sources
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