Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, held a massive protest and allegedly went on a rampage on the campus early Sunday following unverified reports on social media about the alleged rape of a female student and her subsequent death by suicide.
The protesting students also blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway, disrupting traffic movement in the area. Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora said police had no information about any such crime and said the gathering was triggered by rumours circulating on social media.
“When we reached here, we came to know that there were rumours. Because of the rumours, students gathered here,” Toora told reporters.
According to a protesting student, a female student was allegedly raped by a construction worker on the campus, following which the university authorities sent her home. The student claimed that the girl’s roommate later informed other students that she had died by suicide. These claims have not been independently verified, and police said they had received no information about such an incident.
Toora said police received information that students had gathered at the LPU campus around 1:45 am and blocked a road. He said police subsequently spoke to students who raised concerns about the university administration.
“We spoke to students who had some issues with the LPU administration. We heard them and are trying to get them resolved. The situation is completely under control,” the SSP said.
Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed students damaging window panes and flower pots and setting some objects on fire. Toora said an assessment of the property damage was being carried out and necessary legal action would be taken.
The SSP also said students had complained that their concerns were not being properly addressed by the university administration.
A heavy police force was deployed at the university following the protest. Authorities said the situation was under control.
LPU, in a statement to students, advised them to ignore the rumours and assured them that they were “safe and secure” on the campus. The university said the claims circulating on social media were “false and misleading” and urged students to remain inside their hostels, rooms or residences and avoid provocative or disruptive activities.
The incident came a day after students of Chitkara University in Patiala held a protest following unverified claims that two female students had allegedly died by suicide on the campus. Students had also reportedly damaged a police vehicle during that protest.
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