The demonstration of students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab turned violent on Sunday. There was a clash between the students protesting against the alleged sexual harassment incident and the police. During this, stones were pelted and many vehicles were damaged. According to the police, a police vehicle was also set on fire. After the incident, heavy police force has been deployed in and around the university campus.
Demonstration started after the news of alleged rape
The protest started near the girls' hostel late on Saturday night. A large number of students gathered after the news of alleged rape of a female student spread among the students. The students alleged that an employee allegedly committed sexual violence against a hostel student and the matter was reported to the university administration, but no action was taken.
However, at the initial stage the police had said that it had not received any official complaint of such an incident. Later, on the basis of the complaint of a student, the police registered a case of rape against an unknown person and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for investigation. Police have said that the matter will be investigated scientifically.
Highway blocked, premises vandalized
As the protest escalated, the students also blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway outside the university. Due to this, long queues of vehicles formed on the road and traffic was affected. There are also reports of window glasses and other items being damaged in the university campus. Videos of goods being set on fire at some places surfaced on social media.
The situation worsened on Sunday evening. According to the police, the protesters pelted stones at the security personnel. In response, the police used force to control the crowd. During this period, many people including policemen are reported to have been injured. Some police vehicles were damaged and one vehicle was set on fire.
Police talked to students
Police officials held talks with student representatives and the university management to calm the situation. Police also informed the students about the registered FIR and SIT investigation. Despite this, there was a deadlock over many demands of the students. The students are demanding transparency from the administration in the investigation and assurance regarding their safety.
LPU called the allegations a rumor
Lovely Professional University administration has termed the news circulating on social media related to alleged rape and suicide as false and misleading. The university says that some anti-social elements are trying to spoil the campus environment by spreading rumours. The administration has appealed to students, parents and general public not to share unconfirmed information on social media and rely only on official information.
At present the police has started investigating the matter. The veracity of the alleged sexual harassment incident, the role of any individual in it and the violence that took place during the protest—all these aspects are being investigated separately. The picture of the entire matter will be clear only after the police investigation and SIT report.