Jalandhar/Phagwara: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed the state police chief to visit Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara and ordered strict action against those found responsible for the violence, vandalism and arson that broke out on the campus.The developments came a day after protests at the university turned violent, prompting LPU to suspend academic activities for 10 days. On Monday, a number of students began leaving the campus amid concerns over their safety and the presence of people described as outsiders during the unrest.
CM Mann Directs Punjab Police To Act
A government spokesperson said Mann had taken serious note of the situation and instructed Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav to assess the situation personally and take all necessary measures to maintain law and order. CM has made it clear that nobody would be permitted to take law into their own hands, the spokesperson said. Police will determine responsibility after examining the facts and evidence related to the incident. Yadav said police had deliberately avoided using force against the protesting students. According to the DGP, students had grievances that needed to be heard, while legal action would be taken against anyone found responsible for the violence.
The police chief also said the law would apply irrespective of the position held by those found responsible, including university officials if evidence establishes their involvement.
What Triggered Protests At LPU?
The unrest followed the circulation of unverified claims on social media alleging that an outsider had sexually assaulted a student on the university campus. LPU rejected the allegation, describing it as baseless and fabricated. Police have nevertheless registered a rape case against an unidentified person and constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the matter. Senior police officials said the preliminary inquiry had not established the alleged assault.
According to a police officer, three students who were present in the hostel room where the alleged incident was said to have occurred denied that any sexual assault had taken place. A subsequent video showed the three students claiming that an earlier video recorded by them had been edited before being circulated online. They also said they faced trolling after the footage spread on social media.
Students Demand Better Hostel Security
Students participating in the protest demanded justice in connection with the alleged incident and sought action against anyone found responsible. Among their demands were tighter security arrangements in women's hostels, restrictions on male staff entering residential areas occupied by female students, greater accountability for hostel authorities and action against university officials if any negligence is established.
The protesters have also demanded that students participating in the demonstrations should not face punitive action merely for raising their concerns.
Also read: LPU Big Update: Classes Suspended For 10 Days, Exams Postponed After Campus Unrest
LPU Students Leave Campus Amid Safety Fears
The 10-day suspension of classes has led several students to leave the university. A student from the Northeast said she had decided to return home after the violence because she no longer felt comfortable remaining on campus. She said her concern was not about fellow students protesting, but about people from outside potentially entering the university during the unrest.
The student said her uncle was traveling to the campus to take her home because she did not want to leave alone. She also urged the university to strengthen access controls and prevent unauthorized outsiders from entering the campus. Other students leaving LPU reportedly expressed similar concerns, particularly over the presence of outsiders during Sunday’s disturbance. University authorities have also raised concerns about people from outside entering the campus amid the protests.
Students who prefer to remain at LPU have been told they can stay in the hostels and have been advised to avoid unnecessary movement.
Heavy Police Deployment At LPU
Security arrangements around the university have been intensified following the violence. According to sources, an outsider was detained after allegedly being found carrying a walkie-talkie and a weapon. Further information about the person’s identity and circumstances was not immediately available. More than 2,000 police personnel have reportedly been deployed in and around the campus. Authorities have also conducted a flag march as part of efforts to restore calm.
LPU has more than 35,000 students from India and abroad. The university’s Founder-Chancellor is Ashok Mittal, a BJP Rajya Sabha MP who joined the party after switching from the Aam Aadmi Party in April.