The university administration has taken strict action after the violent protests and tense atmosphere of the students at the Lovely Professional University (LPU) campus located in Phagwara, Punjab. In order to bring the situation under control and ensure the safety of the students, the management has issued an official order to suspend regular classes for the next 10 days from September 28. Along with this, the mid-term examinations going on in the university have also been postponed till further orders. Due to huge anger over rumors related to the alleged rape of a student on the campus and other untoward incidents, the students had blocked the National Highway-44 along with the campus, following which heavy police force had to be deployed. How the campus controversy broke out: Students' anger and tension on the Chakkajam University campus on NH-44 began after reports and unverified claims went viral on social media alleging that a student was allegedly sexually assaulted by an outsider on the campus. Although the administration is calling these claims as rumours, but within no time thousands of students came out of the hostels and started raising slogans demanding justice and security. During the demonstration, clashes were seen between security guards and angry students. A large group of students sat on GT Road (National Highway-44) outside the main gate of the university and completely stopped the traffic on both sides. The students alleged that the university administration was trying to cover up the matter instead of ensuring the safety of the students and taking prompt legal action. Seeing the situation worsening, additional police forces had to be called from Phagwara and Jalandhar and top administrative officials reached the spot and tried to pacify the students. Official notice of the University regarding the examinations: New date will be available on UMS. Considering the sensitivity of the situation, the Registrar's Office of the University issued a formal circular for all the students and parents. Key points of the instructions issued by the university administration are as follows: Classes closed for 10 days: Physical classes of all UG, PG and professional courses will remain completely suspended for a period of 10 days from Monday, September 28. Mid-term examinations postponed: Mid-term examinations of all the faculties have been postponed. Revised Exam Schedule will be announced later separately through University Management System (UMS). Exemption to go home: The University has advised students from different states of the country and abroad to go to their home towns during this 10-day holiday with the consent of their parents or guardians. Rules for hostel dwellers: Students who wish to stay on campus have been strictly instructed to remain inside their respective hostel rooms, avoid unnecessary movement and not gather in any group. Police registered FIR, formed SIT to get to the bottom of the matter. Punjab Police has started a quick legal process to defuse the deadlock that arose in the premises. According to police officials, based on the written complaint received, an FIR has been registered against the unknown person under relevant sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the leadership of a senior police officer for a fair and thorough investigation of the case. The police administration has started scanning the footage of CCTV cameras and the private security personnel deployed around the hostel are being interrogated. The police and district administration have appealed to the students and general public not to spread any kind of misleading information, videos or rumors on WhatsApp or other social media platforms without official confirmation, as strict legal action will be taken under the IT Act against those who spoil the atmosphere. Students are adamant on the demand of campus security and transparent investigation. Although hundreds of students are leaving for their homes after the examinations were postponed and 10 days holiday was declared, the student organizations say that they want a fair and transparent investigation in this matter. The main demands of the students are that a complete ban should be imposed on the entry of outsiders inside the campus, biometric security should be increased in the hostel areas of the girl students and the investigation report of the SIT should be made public. At present, paramilitary and police forces have been deployed at all the entry points and sensitive areas of the university and the situation is said to be under control.
