Student protests outside Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, turned violent again on Sunday. Demonstrators pelted stones at police personnel and set fire to at least three vehicles. This fresh violence erupted following overnight vandalism on the campus and a highway blockade by students protesting against the alleged sexual assault.
A senior police official stated that several police personnel were injured and at least one police vehicle was damaged due to stone-pelting by the protesters. The exact number of injured officers could not be immediately ascertained. To prevent further damage, the police moved their vehicles away from the area, while additional personnel regrouped nearby.
The police have registered a rape case based on a female student’s complaint and have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). They state that, so far, they have found no evidence to substantiate the claim that the alleged sexual assault took place. LPU has denied these allegations.
Talks Fail to Pacify Students
Earlier on Sunday, the police met with student representatives and the Lovely Professional University management near the campus. Officials provided the representatives with a copy of the FIR and details regarding the Special Investigation Team (SIT), but the dialogue did not lead to the end of the protest. The SIT, led by Phagwara SP Major Singh, includes DSP Palvinder Singh and a female police inspector.
Students demanded assurances from Lovely Professional University Founder-Chancellor and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal
The students demanded assurances from Lovely Professional University Founder-Chancellor and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal. They also sought guarantees that their access to university management systems would not be blocked and that they would not face any punitive action for protesting. The blockade on the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway 44 continued until Sunday afternoon, resulting in long queues of vehicles. Officials worked to clear the highway and diverted traffic to alternative routes.
What the FIR states
The FIR was registered at the Satnampura police station under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to rape. It is based on a complaint filed by a female student alleging that another female student was assaulted at the Lovely Professional University’s GH3 girls’ hostel around September 23–24. The student who filed the complaint has not been identified as the alleged victim.
Jalandhar Range DIG Navin Singla stated that the investigating officer would examine forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and call records before concluding. Student representatives are being kept informed about the investigation. The police have not disclosed the identities of the alleged victim or the accused, and no arrests have been announced in connection with the allegation.
