Students protest at Punjab’s LPU, rape allegations spark outrage — What we know so far | Today’s news

Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab staged a massive protest and went on a rampage on the campus early Sunday following unverified reports on social media of the alleged rape of a female student.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kapurthula, Gaurav Toora, said the police received information that students had gathered at the LPU campus at 1.45am and blocked the road. The students also blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara state highway.

“A large number of LPU students blocked the National Highway here at 2 am early this morning,” said Naveen Singla, DIG Jalandhar Range.

Videos circulating on social media showed students at LPU damaging window panes and flower pots and even setting fire to some items.

A heavy police force has been deployed at the university, police said the situation is now under control.

Here’s everything you need to know about the matter:

Why are students protesting at LPU in Punjab?

Police said the complaint alleged that a girl resident of the G3 hostel was raped three days ago (September 24). “The girl is a resident of G3 hostel but her name is not yet clear; that is part of the investigation,” DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla told ANI.

According to police, the woman lived in the university hostel but has since returned to her home, allegedly after the crime took place.

Singla said, “Their (protesters) primary demand was that the G3 hostel girl was raped three days ago and no action has been taken till now.”

“We have received their statement. We have started registering the FIR and they will receive a copy soon,” Singla said.

Police said the protesters had other demands. “The women students also have some other demands; for example, the women students have demanded that all the staff in the women’s hostels should be women. So there are some such specific demands and we will ensure that they are met by sitting with the management,” the DIG said.

What the police said about the rape allegations

Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the true nature of the incident. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the student was raped on the university campus.

The identity of the accused is not yet known. Due to the ongoing investigation, an FIR has been registered against several unknown people for the time being.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kapurthula Gaurav Toora said that the police had no information about any such crime.

Asked about the unverified claim of the alleged rape of a female student circulating on social media, Toora told reporters: “We have come to know that there are rumors and a large number of students have gathered because of these rumours.”

“I want to make it clear that the police never received any such information, so we didn’t have that information either. We have spoken to the student body…Students say that when they make complaints, their concerns are not properly addressed. There are some misunderstandings and we will make sure they are resolved,” Toora said.

Singla said an FIR has been registered against “an as yet unknown person, though G3 hostel is mentioned in the details.”

DIGs told ANI that they have received the woman’s statement regarding the alleged incident and registered a case after getting her statement.

“We have now received the information and her statement and a case has been registered,” the DIG added.

He said the police have spoken to student leaders and student representatives are scheduled to meet the LPU management at 12 noon regarding the incident.

“We have spoken to students who have had some issues with the LPU administration. We have heard them and are trying to resolve them. The situation is completely under control,” Toora said.

“As for the FIR, it will be registered and a copy will be provided to them,” Singla said.

The official added that the police will examine the CCTV footage and other evidence. “Technically, the investigation will include forensic analysis, review of CCTV footage and analysis of phone data,” Naveen Singla said.

An assessment of property damage is underway and necessary legal action will be taken, said SSP Toora.

He assured that the investigation would be conducted scientifically.

“We will form a special investigation team to conduct an investigation and quickly apprehend the culprit…Furthermore, the investigation will be conducted in consultation with the student representatives,” he added.