PHAGWARA, September 28: Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab has suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed its mid-term examinations after student protests over an alleged sexual assault on campus turned violent. Punjab Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the allegations.
The university has denied the allegation, describing reports circulating online as baseless and fabricated, while police have said the claim is still under investigation and has not been substantiated in their preliminary inquiries.
LPU Suspends Classes for 10 Days
LPU announced that all regular classes would remain suspended for 10 days beginning September 28 as authorities work to restore normalcy on campus.
The university said the measure had been taken for the safety and well-being of students following the unrest. Students have been permitted to travel to their hometowns in consultation with parents or guardians.
Students staying on campus have been advised to remain in their hostels or places of residence, avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from unrest-related activities.
Mid-Term Examinations Postponed
LPU has also postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice.
The university said a revised examination schedule would be communicated separately through its University Management System (UMS) and asked students to monitor official channels for updates.
Protests Began Over Alleged Sexual Assault Claim
The unrest began after claims circulated among students and on social media alleging that a female student had been sexually assaulted by an outsider inside a girls’ hostel.
According to The Indian Express, students alleged that an outside worker had entered a hostel room and assaulted a student. However, police said their initial inquiries at the location cited by protesters had not substantiated the allegation, and students occupying the room told investigators that no such incident had taken place there.
Because the allegation remains under investigation, authorities have not confirmed that a sexual assault occurred.
Police Register FIR and Form SIT
Kapurthala Police registered an FIR against an unidentified person under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which relates to rape, after receiving a complaint connected to the students’ allegations.
Police also constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the matter.
The SIT includes senior police officers and, according to officials, student representatives have also been involved in the investigative process.
Police Checking CCTV and Hostel Records
Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla said investigators were carrying out an intensive inquiry at the university hostel.
Police are examining CCTV footage and other available evidence while speaking to students and university personnel to determine whether the allegations circulating online can be verified.
The DIG said nothing untoward had been found during preliminary checks of the room and nearby hostel areas linked to the allegation, but the investigation is continuing.
Protest Turns Violent, Campus Property Damaged
The protest escalated significantly on Sunday.
Students damaged university property, and videos from the campus showed furniture and other objects being set on fire. Protesters also climbed on a decommissioned MiG-23 aircraft and military tank displayed on campus.
The unrest later extended outside the campus as protesters blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch of National Highway 44, causing major traffic disruption.
Police Vehicles Damaged During Clashes
Tensions increased further when police attempted to clear the highway blockade.
Officials said protesters pelted police personnel and vehicles with stones. Police vehicles were damaged and some were set on fire, while several police personnel were reported injured.
Accounts differed over the police response. Some protesters alleged that officers used a lathi charge, while police disputed parts of that account and said personnel were attacked with stones.
More Than 2,000 Police Personnel Deployed
Security was significantly increased around the university following the violence.
More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed at LPU as authorities conducted a flag march and worked to restore order.
Punjab Police ADGP Fayaz Farooqui said the situation had been brought under control and assured families that students staying in the hostels were safe.
Highway Traffic Restored
The protests caused significant disruption along the national highway connecting Jalandhar and Phagwara, with motorists stranded during the blockade.
Police later said traffic had resumed and the situation around the university had returned to normal.
Authorities have continued maintaining a heavy security presence as a precaution.
LPU Denies Allegations
The university administration has strongly denied the claims that triggered the protests.
LPU Registrar Monica Gulati said rumours being spread through social media were false and had created confusion among students. The university maintained that there was no verified evidence supporting the allegations circulating online.
Police, however, are continuing their investigation through the SIT and have said evidence including CCTV footage will be examined before conclusions are reached.
Investigation Continues
The case remains under investigation, with police attempting to establish what happened and whether the original allegations have any factual basis.
For now, regular academic activity at LPU remains suspended for 10 days, mid-term examinations have been postponed and security personnel remain deployed around the campus.
Authorities have urged students and the public to avoid circulating unverified information while the investigation continues.
Source – The Indian Express / India Today / The Tribune / Punjab Police
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