Punjab: LPU protest turns violent over alleged rape

LPU students block the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway on Sunday. PIC/PTI

Students of the Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab's Phagwara went on a rampage on the campus early Sunday, damaging property and blocking a national highway over claims that a female student was raped by an outsider in the university premises.

Police said a rape case has been registered against an unknown person on a complaint by the students, who blocked a stretch of Delhi-Amritsar national highway, leading to a massive traffic jam. A special investigation team has also been formed to investigate the matter, police said.

A student climbs onto an Indian Air Force MiG-23UM aircraft installed on the campus. PIC/X/@surajmeenaz ; (right) Students vandalise the campus entry gate . PIC/X/@indiain24hr

Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed a large number of LPU students damaging window panes, earthen flower pots, and even setting thing on fire.

The protests started near the girls' hostel at around 1 am on Sunday, with students alleging that a female student, who was staying at the university hostel, was raped by a plumber three days back. They also claimed that the hostel warden was informed about it but nothing was done.

Following reports of the rampage, a heavy police force from Kapurthala, Jalandhar Rural and Hoshiarpur was mobilised. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jalandhar Range) Naveen Singla said an FIR has been registered and that a special investigation team has also been formed to conduct a probe.

University denies claim

In a statement, LPU said there was no truth in the rumours. University authorities claimed that certain anti-social elements were spreading completely false, baseless, and fabricated rumours. The authorities said it appears to be a deliberate and concerted attempt to malign the reputation of the university.

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