Phagwara, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : Tensions escalated at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, on Sunday evening, as protests by students turned violent. Clashes erupted between demonstrators and police, resulting in stone-throwing and arson, with at least three police SUVs set on fire.
The unrest was sparked by allegations of rape against a student, who subsequently took her own life. As violence intensified, several police officers were injured, prompting law enforcement to respond with a baton charge after protesters hurled stones and other objects.
The protests began hours earlier, fueled by unverified reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged rape and suicide. Previous demonstrations had already caused significant damage to university property, including broken windows and arson in parts of the campus. Students also blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway, leading to severe traffic disruptions.
Initially, police officials stated they had not received any formal complaints or evidence supporting the rape allegations. However, following statements from students, authorities registered a First Information Report (FIR) against an unidentified individual and established a special investigation team to look into the matter.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Tora informed the media that the situation deteriorated after students began throwing stones at police officers and igniting a police vehicle. He emphasized that the police aimed to maintain transparency in the investigation, sharing relevant materials, including CCTV footage, with students.
The university has urged students and others to refrain from spreading unverified information. The recent violence has heightened tensions on campus, prompting a heavy police presence in the area. Authorities are investigating both the allegations and the incidents of arson, vandalism, and assaults on police vehicles.
Bikram Singh Majithia, a leader of the Akali Dal, condemned the alleged sexual assault, blaming the situation on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal. He demanded stringent punishment for the accused, criticizing the police’s inaction as a significant failure. He suggested that the situation was not merely a failure but a conspiracy, referencing the political shift of LPU’s Chancellor Ashok Mittal to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and alleging that AAP leaders were retaliating by targeting LPU.
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