LPU Protests Turn Violent in Phagwara
Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, staged a major protest on September 27 after allegations surfaced about the sexual assault of a female student on campus. What began as a student demonstration later escalated into clashes with police, property damage, fires and the blocking of a major highway.
The situation has attracted widespread attention because the central allegation remains under investigation. Police have registered a case against an unidentified person and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT). At the same time, LPU has rejected the allegation and described it as false and fabricated.
What Triggered the LPU Protest?
According to reports, the protest began around the girls’ hostel after claims circulated among students and on social media that a female student had been sexually assaulted. Some protesting students alleged that an outsider working on campus had entered a hostel area and that university authorities had not taken appropriate action.
These claims quickly spread among students, leading to gatherings near the hostel and later at the university’s main entrance. However, the details of the alleged incident have not been independently established.
Police said an FIR was registered against an unidentified person based on the complaint and that investigators would examine forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone data. Student representatives have also been included in the investigation process.
How Did the Protest Become Violent?
The situation became increasingly tense as large numbers of students gathered across the campus. Reports said university property, vehicles and other items were damaged, while some objects were set on fire.
The protesters also blocked a stretch of the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, or NH-44, causing significant disruption to traffic. Police attempted to clear the highway as the standoff continued.
Later, clashes broke out between protesters and police. Officials said stones and bottles were thrown at police personnel and several police vehicles were damaged. Reports also said that two police vehicles were set on fire during the violence. Police used a lathi charge to disperse the protesters. Several police personnel were reportedly injured.
The violence forced authorities to bring in additional police personnel to restore order around the university.
What Has LPU Said?
LPU has strongly denied that the alleged sexual-assault incident occurred on campus. University officials described the allegations as rumours and called them “false, baseless and fabricated.”
The university said it was cooperating with the police investigation and would provide CCTV footage and other material requested by investigators.
LPU officials also appealed to students, parents and the public not to circulate unverified information while the investigation is underway.
This difference between the students’ allegations and the university’s position is central to understanding the situation. The police investigation is expected to establish what actually happened.
What Are Students Demanding?
Students have raised several concerns beyond the alleged incident itself. Their reported demands include stronger security in girls’ hostels, greater accountability of hostel officials and action against anyone found responsible if negligence is established.
Some students have also demanded changes to the way male staff and outside workers are allowed to operate near women’s hostel areas. Other demands reportedly include action against university officials if an investigation finds that proper procedures were not followed.
Students have also expressed concerns about possible action against protesters and access to university services following the unrest.
Classes Suspended for 10 Days
Following the violence, LPU announced the suspension of regular classes for 10 days beginning September 28. Mid-term examinations have also been postponed until further notice.
Students remaining on campus were advised to stay inside their hostels or residences, avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from the ongoing unrest. Some students began leaving the campus after the violence, with reports showing groups travelling toward nearby bus and railway stations.
Authorities have also increased security around the university. Police presence has been strengthened to prevent further clashes and maintain normal traffic movement on the highway.
What Happens Next?
The next major development will depend on the police investigation. The SIT is expected to examine CCTV recordings, forensic evidence, phone data and other available information before reaching conclusions.
The alleged sexual-assault claim should therefore not be treated as an established fact at this stage. The FIR means the allegation is being formally investigated; it does not by itself establish that the alleged offence occurred or identify a guilty person.
For students and parents, the immediate concerns are campus safety, the continuation of academic activities and the restoration of normal conditions.
The LPU protests have also highlighted how quickly unverified information shared through social media can lead to large-scale unrest. The final findings of the police investigation will be important in separating verified facts from claims and rumours.
For now, authorities are focused on restoring order at Lovely Professional University, while the SIT continues its investigation into the allegations that triggered the protests.
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