2 hrs ago
LPU Protest Violence Leaves Uni Mall Shops Reporting Major Losses
Violent protests took place at Lovely Professional University in Punjab.
The protests began after people made an unverified claim about a student being sexually assaulted.
The university said the claim was baseless and fabricated.
During the unrest, some shops in the campus mall were reportedly broken into.
Shopkeepers said phones, laptops, clothes and other products were stolen.
Buildings, vehicles, cameras and other campus property were also damaged.
Police registered a case against an unknown person and created a team to investigate.
Police are expected to use CCTV and other evidence to find out what happened.
Shopkeepers at LPU’s Uni Mall in Phagwara alleged their stores were vandalised and goods were stolen during Sunday’s protests.
Owners reported missing mobile phones, accessories, laptops, cosmetics, clothing and footwear, with one phone shop estimating stock losses of up to Rs 29 lakh.
The violence also damaged campus vehicles, ambulances, CCTV cameras, windows, the main entrance, university structures and the food court.
The protests followed unverified allegations that an outsider sexually assaulted a student; LPU called the claims baseless and fabricated.
Police registered a rape case against an unknown person, formed a Special Investigation Team and are expected to examine CCTV footage.
- Who
- Shopkeepers, students, Lovely Professional University, Punjab authorities and police were involved in the reported events.
- What
- Uni Mall shops and other campus property were allegedly vandalised and looted during protests; police also registered a rape case against an unknown person.
- Where
- Lovely Professional University’s Uni Mall and campus in Phagwara, Punjab; protesters later moved toward the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway.
- When
- The violence occurred on Sunday, with shopkeepers reporting attacks between approximately 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
- Why
- The protests followed unverified allegations that an outsider had sexually assaulted a student, allegations LPU denied as baseless and fabricated.
Reported Allegations and Losses
Official Responses and Investigation
Cause of the protests
Reported Allegations and Losses
The protests followed allegations that an outsider had sexually assaulted a student on campus.
Official Responses and Investigation
Lovely Professional University denied the allegations as baseless and fabricated; police nevertheless registered a case against an unknown person for investigation.
Responsibility for shop damage
Reported Allegations and Losses
Shopkeepers said their stores were broken into and goods were stolen, while online videos purportedly showed people carrying items away.
Official Responses and Investigation
The identities of people shown in the videos have not been independently established, and police are expected to examine CCTV footage and other evidence.
Extent of campus damage
Reported Allegations and Losses
Shopkeepers and university officials reported extensive damage to shops and campus property, with some repairs potentially taking months.
Official Responses and Investigation
LPU director Aman Mittal said the overall damage had not yet been assessed, so the final cost remains undetermined.
Key facts
- Location
- Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab
- Reported shop losses
- One mobile-phone shop owner estimated phones and accessories worth about Rs 21 lakh, plus another Rs 7–8 lakh in existing goods.
- Other reported losses
- A laptop shop owner said laptops worth several lakhs of rupees were missing.
- Damage reported
- Vehicles, ambulances, CCTV cameras, windows, the main entrance, university structures and the food court were reportedly damaged.
- Police investigation
- A rape case was registered against an unknown person, and a Special Investigation Team was formed.
- Evidence under review
- Police are expected to examine CCTV footage and other evidence; identities in circulating videos have not been independently established.
Sources
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