LPU Protests Escalate in Punjab as Students Vandalise Campus, Block Highway Over ‘Rape’ Report

LPU Protest Turns Violent After Unverified Rape Claim, Students Block Highway

A protest by students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab’s Phagwara escalated into violence early Saturday after unverified social media claims that a female student had allegedly been raped spread across the campus.

Nearly 2,000 students gathered near the girls’ hostel before the agitation spilled onto the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway. Protesters allegedly vandalised university property, while videos shared on social media showed objects being set on fire inside the campus.

Police have begun the process of registering an FIR based on a complaint submitted by the protesting students.

Naveen Singla, DIG, Jalandhar Range, said the complaint alleges that a girl living in the G3 hostel was raped three days ago. The alleged accused has not been identified.

Students Block National Highway

According to Singla, the protest began after messages about the alleged incident circulated among students and on social media. Some posts also claimed that a university employee was involved, although the claims have not been independently verified.

“Early this morning at 2 AM, a large number of LPU students blocked the National Highway here. Their primary demand was that three days ago a girl from the G3 hostel was raped, and no action had been taken regarding this until now. We have received their statement. We have initiated the registration of an FIR, and they will receive a copy shortly,” Singla said.

The students initially assembled near the girls’ hostel but later moved towards the highway, disrupting traffic. Police subsequently intervened and cleared the road.

Campus Property Damaged

The protest turned chaotic as students allegedly smashed window panes and threw bricks and flower pots, causing damage to university property.

Several videos circulating online appeared to show objects being set ablaze on the campus. Police said significant damage was reported during the unrest.

FIR Against Unknown Accused

Police are currently registering the FIR against an unidentified person, based on the information provided in the students’ complaint.

“The complaint currently states only that a girl residing in the G3 hostel was raped, so the FIR is being registered against an unknown person for now, though the G3 hostel is mentioned in the details. The girl is a resident of the G3 hostel, but her name is not yet clear; that is part of the investigation,” Singla said.

Investigators will examine CCTV footage, collect forensic evidence and analyse phone data as part of the probe. A special investigation team is also being formed, Singla said.

Police Assure Students Of Scientific Probe

Singla said the allegations would be examined through an evidence-based investigation and assured students that appropriate action would follow if the allegations were substantiated.

“I want to assure you that the investigation will be conducted scientifically; we will form a special investigation team to carry out the probe and apprehend the culprit quickly,” he said.

The alleged sexual assault has not been independently established and remains under investigation.

Hostel Issues Also Raised

Students also raised several other concerns related to the university’s boys’ and girls’ hostels.

“They have other demands as well, and a meeting regarding these has been scheduled for 12:00 PM with the LPU management. There are specific demands concerning both the boys’ and girls’ hostels. We have spoken to the student leaders, and the meeting will take place at 12:00 PM,” Singla said.

Police increased security around the university after clearing the highway. The road has since reopened, while discussions between student representatives and the university administration are underway.

The LPU protest came a day after a separate student agitation at Chitkara University in Patiala following other unverified social media claims involving female students.