🔴 By|Sonal Sharma
Phagwara : The situation at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara remained tense on Monday, September 28, following two days of intense student protests that escalated into violence over allegations of sexual assault involving a female student. The unrest saw damage to university property, incidents of arson, clashes between protesters and police, and the blocking of the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway. Police have now registered an FIR and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations.
🟡 LPU Suspends Classes for 10 Days
In a major decision following the unrest, Lovely Professional University announced that regular classes would remain suspended for 10 days from September 28, 2026. The university has also postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice.
According to the university’s communication to students, the decision was taken to ensure their safety and well-being amid the continuing unrest. A revised schedule for the postponed examinations will be communicated separately through the University Management System (UMS).
Students have also been advised that they may travel to their hometowns during the 10-day period after consulting their parents or guardians. Those who remain on campus have been asked to stay inside their hostels or places of residence, avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from activities connected with the unrest.
🟡 Protest Erupts Over Sexual Assault Allegations
The protests reportedly began after allegations circulated among students and on social media claiming that a female student had been sexually assaulted inside a girls’ hostel. Some protesting students alleged that the incident took place on September 23 and that university authorities had attempted to suppress information about it.
These allegations triggered a large student mobilisation on the LPU campus. The university, however, has rejected the allegations and described the information circulating on social media as false, misleading and based on rumours. The university has urged students and parents to rely only on information released through official channels.
🟡 FIR Registered; SIT Begins Investigation
While the university has denied the allegations, Punjab Police have registered an FIR based on a complaint made by a student. The case has been registered against an unidentified person, and no individual has been named as an accused in the FIR at this stage.
Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla said an SIT has been constituted to investigate the matter. The team includes senior police officials and a woman police officer, along with student representatives. Police are also examining CCTV footage and other available evidence to establish what actually happened.
The development is significant because the initial reports circulating on social media had created considerable confusion about whether a sexual assault and subsequent suicide had actually occurred. Earlier in the episode, police officials had said they had not received confirmation of such a crime. The subsequent FIR means the allegations are now formally part of a police investigation, but the claims have not been established as fact.
🟡 Protest Turns Violent
What began as a student protest later turned violent. Protesters reportedly damaged property inside the university campus, threw objects and barricades, and set some items on fire. The unrest subsequently spread outside the campus, with students blocking the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway.
The situation escalated again on Sunday evening, with reports of stone-pelting and vehicles being damaged or set ablaze. Police and protesters confronted each other as authorities attempted to restore order. Police officials said protesters had pelted stones, while reports also emerged of allegations from protesters regarding police action.
The Tribune reported that a police vehicle was set on fire during the renewed violence. Police, meanwhile, maintained that students had pelted stones during the confrontation.
🟡 More Than 2,000 Police Personnel Deployed
The scale of the unrest prompted Punjab Police to significantly strengthen security around the university. More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed at LPU, according to senior police officials.
ADGP M.F. Farooqui said the police force would remain deployed on the campus to maintain security and prevent further escalation. The heavy deployment comes as authorities attempt to keep the situation under control while the SIT investigates the allegations.
🟡 University Appeals for Calm
LPU has appealed to students to remain calm and avoid participating in any activity that could further disturb the situation. The university has repeatedly urged students to remain inside their residences and follow official instructions.
The administration has also asked students and parents not to rely on unverified information circulating through social media. The university’s position remains that the allegations being circulated are false and misleading, while the police investigation is continuing independently.
🟡 What Happens at LPU Now?
With regular classes suspended for 10 days and mid-term examinations postponed, the immediate priority for the university and authorities is restoring normalcy on campus. At the same time, the SIT investigation will determine whether the allegations made by students are supported by evidence.
For now, the situation involves three separate and important developments: students have raised serious allegations and demanded an investigation; police have formally registered a case and begun an SIT inquiry; and LPU has denied the allegations and described the circulating claims as rumours.
The final facts of the alleged sexual assault case will depend on the findings of the police investigation. Until then, the allegations should not be treated as established facts
