Protest over alleged rape turns violent at Punjab university; police file FIR - The Indian Express

A protest by students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab’s Phagwara over the alleged rape of a female student by an outsider on the university campus turned violent early Sunday morning. The protesters damaged property on the campus, set some objects on fire and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway outside the university.

Following the protests, the police have registered an FIR on charges of rape against an unknown suspect based on students’ statements.

“We are verifying the facts. Student leaders and LPU management will have a meeting at noon to resolve the issues being raised by students,” said Naveen Singla, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jalandhar range, who visited the spot and talked to the protesting students.

Meanwhile, Lovely Professional University, in a statement to the media, said that “there is no truth in the rumours presently being circulated” and urged students and the public not to amplify them.

The students claimed that the alleged rape had taken place around three days ago and alleged that the university administration had taken no action. They said they would not lift the blockade until a copy of the FIR was handed over to them.

According to the DIG, the protesting students alleged that the victim had been sent home from the hostel and that no action had been taken against the alleged accused.

The DIG assured the students that a copy of the FIR would be handed over to them and promised a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter.

“The investigation will be conducted scientifically. Forensic and technical aspects will be examined, and student representatives will also be associated with the investigation,” said DIG Singla.

The protest caused major traffic disruption, with the highway blocked from both the Jalandhar and Ludhiana sides. Several kilometres-long queues of vehicles were seen on both sides of the highway, leaving commuters stranded and facing considerable difficulty. The blockade caused significant inconvenience to motorists travelling on the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway, with traffic movement coming to a standstill at several points.

The unrest, which reportedly began near the girls’ hostel, intensified as students from different hostels joined in. By 2 am, a large number of students had gathered and moved towards the main entrance of the university. Students began sharing videos from inside the campus on social media, prompting the police to reach the spot.

Videos circulating from inside the campus also showed protesters moving through the university mall and other areas amid the escalating protest. Some objects were set on fire during the unrest.

Outside the campus, students blocked the National Highway around 4 am, disrupting traffic on the busy Jalandhar–Phagwara stretch. Protesters raised slogans of “We want justice”, demanding action over the alleged crime.

“The protest was triggered after information about an alleged sexual assault of a female student began circulating among students. Different versions of the incident were being shared, both among students and on social media,” a BSc student told The Indian Express.

Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora reached the spot as the situation escalated and told students that the police had not received any complaint regarding the alleged sexual assault at that point.

Dr Monica Gulati, registrar, Lovely Professional University, in a statement to the media said, “The University categorically clarifies that there is no truth in the rumours presently being circulated. Students, parents and members of the public are requested not to believe, circulate or amplify such rumours. They should rely upon information communicated through official channels of the University only”.

The protest at LPU came a day after a protest at Chitkara University, another private university, in Punjab’s Rajpura over claims of two girls missing.

The protesting students raised several other demands concerning the functioning and security of the university’s boys’ and girls’ hostels.

Singla said a meeting with the university management was scheduled for Sunday afternoon to discuss these issues. The police would also look into students’ concerns about security arrangements in the hostels.

One of the students’ demands was that all female staff be deployed in the girls’ hostel. The DIG said the demand would also be considered.

During his interaction with the protesters, DIG Singla was also informed about the alleged suicide of a female student at LPU around 15 days ago. He said that the student was from Telangana, and the police had registered criminal proceedings regarding the unnatural death. The student’s parents had also arrived at the university after the incident.

The DIG said that the police had taken possession of the student’s mobile phone and sent it for forensic examination. He said the forensic findings would be reviewed and further action taken based on the evidence.

Singla further said that if the investigation revealed any indication of foul play, or if credible information was brought before the police suggesting wrongdoing, appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law.