HighLights
  1. Students protested at LPU Phagwara over unverified social media claims.
  2. Protesters vandalized campus property and blocked the national highway.
  3. Police found no evidence of alleged crime, citing only rumours.

A late-night protest at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab's Phagwara turned violent after unverified social media claims about a female student's alleged rape spread across the campus. Around 2,000 students gathered near the girls' hostel, later blocking the national highway and vandalising university property.

Police, however, said they have so far found no evidence to support either allegation and have not received any complaint related to the purported incident.

What Triggered The LPU Protest?

The unrest began after messages about an alleged incident involving a female student circulated on social media and spread among students. Some social media posts also alleged the involvement of a university worker.

ALSO READ: Punjab Police Inspector Arrested With 3 Kg Heroin, Six Pistols In Ferozepur Amid BJP's Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra

According to SSP Kapurthala Gaurav Toora, police received information that students had gathered at the campus around 1:45 am and blocked a road.

"When we reached here, we came to know that there were rumours. Because of the rumours, students gathered here," PTI quoted Toora.

The protest began near the girls' hostel but later spread to the highway outside the university. Students blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway, disrupting traffic before police intervened and cleared the road.

Students Vandalise Campus, Set Objects On Fire

The situation escalated as protesters allegedly smashed window panes, threw bricks and flower pots and damaged other university property. Videos circulating on social media showed objects being set on fire inside the campus.

Police said the protest also resulted in extensive damage to university property.

Police Say No Evidence Of Alleged Crime

Police said their initial assessment found no evidence to substantiate the claims of rape. No complaint regarding either allegation had been received, officials said. The university administration had not issued a detailed response to the allegations at the time of reporting.

Toora said police also spoke to students about their grievances against the university administration.

"We spoke to students who had some issues with the LPU administration. We heard them and are trying to get them resolved. The situation is completely under control," the SSP said.

Police, University Officials Hold Talks With Students

Police later cleared the highway and deployed additional personnel at the university. The road has since been reopened, while discussions between students and the university administration are continuing.

ALSO READ: Caught On Cam | Three Masked Men Open Fire At Punjabi Singer Gulab Sidhu’s Home In Barnala

Toora said students had told police that their concerns were not being addressed properly. An assessment of the damage caused during the protest is also being carried out, and police said necessary legal action would follow.

The LPU unrest came a day after a separate protest at Chitkara University in Patiala over other unverified social media claims involving female students. Police and university authorities in that case also said the claims had not been substantiated.


Also In News