LPU Protest Latest: NH-44 Reopens as Students Leave Campus After Violent Unrest

Phagwara, Punjab: The situation at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara was reported to be peaceful on Monday morning, September 28, after violent student protests over an alleged sexual assault claim disrupted the campus and blocked National Highway-44 for more than 15 hours.

Police said traffic on NH-44 has been restored and heavy security remains deployed around the university. Several students have started leaving the campus after LPU suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed mid-term examinations.

Latest Status: Situation Under Control

According to police, there was no fresh protest on Monday morning and the situation remained peaceful. SP (Investigation) Harinder Gill said students had been leaving the university since the administration announced the 10-day suspension of classes.

Police have maintained a large deployment at the university gates following Sunday's violence. Students who remain on campus have been advised to stay inside their hostels or places of residence and avoid unnecessary movement.

Traffic on NH-44, which had remained blocked for more than 15 hours, was restored during the night between Sunday and Monday, according to Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh.

What Triggered the LPU Protest?

The unrest began after claims circulated among students that a female student had allegedly been sexually assaulted inside a girls' hostel by an outsider working as a plumber.

Students also alleged that the matter had been reported to hostel authorities but that no action was taken. These claims have not been established by investigators.

Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person on rape charges and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations. Investigators have said forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone data will be examined before conclusions are reached.

Police officials have also said preliminary checks at the location identified by protesting students did not substantiate the allegation so far. Three students who were reportedly staying in the room where the incident was alleged to have taken place initially denied that such an incident had occurred.

Protest Escalated Into Violence

The student protest grew during Sunday morning, with protesters blocking NH-44 outside the university.

Police attempted to clear the highway after the blockade continued for several hours. Officials said protesters threw water bottles and later pelted stones at police personnel and their vehicles.

The confrontation escalated, with several vehicles damaged and objects set on fire. Videos from the campus showed damaged property, while some protesters were seen climbing onto a decommissioned MiG-23UM aircraft and a military tank displayed on the university grounds.

Police subsequently moved into the university campus with a large force. Senior officers, including ADGP M F Farooqui, DIG Naveen Singla and Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh, were present during the security operation.

More Than 2,000 Police Personnel Deployed

More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed around the university amid the unrest.

Authorities said the deployment was intended to prevent further violence and maintain security for students remaining on campus. A flag march involving senior police officers was also conducted after the violence escalated.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit the university and assess the situation. The Chief Minister's Office said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the unrest.

LPU Denies the Allegation

LPU has denied that a sexual assault took place on the campus and described the allegations as false and fabricated.

Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu said the university had not received information confirming such an incident and that the institution would fully cooperate with the police investigation.

The university also released a video featuring three students who said they had been staying in the room where the alleged incident was said to have occurred and denied that any such incident had taken place.

However, a later report by The Week said the same three students subsequently claimed that their earlier statements had been scripted by university authorities. Their later allegations are also part of the developing situation and have not been independently established.

Classes Suspended for 10 Days

LPU has suspended regular classes for 10 days beginning September 28. Mid-term examinations have also been postponed until further notice.

The university has allowed students to return home after consulting their parents or guardians. Those who choose to remain on campus have been advised to stay inside their hostels or residences and avoid unnecessary movement.

Following the announcement, students were seen leaving the university campus with their belongings Monday morning.

Students' Demands

During the protest, students demanded that the university administration address their concerns regarding campus safety and the alleged incident.

Among their demands were stronger security in girls' hostels, greater accountability of hostel officials and action against anyone found responsible if negligence is established.

Students also demanded that Founder-Chancellor Ashok Mittal visit the protest site and address their concerns. They sought assurances that students participating in the protest would not face victimisation and that access to the University Management System would not be blocked.

Police Probe Continues

The FIR and SIT investigation remain central to the case. Police have said the allegation will be examined scientifically, including through forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone records.

DIG Naveen Singla has also said police are examining the circumstances surrounding the death of another female LPU student from Telangana, who reportedly died by suicide around 15 days earlier. Her mobile phone was seized and sent for forensic examination, and police said further action would be taken if evidence of foul play emerges.

Latest Update

As of September 28 morning, NH-44 traffic has been restored and police describe the LPU campus situation as peaceful. Heavy police deployment continues, while students are leaving the university after the 10-day suspension of classes. The sexual-assault allegation remains under investigation by the SIT, and no final conclusion has been announced.