LPU Closed for 10 Days After Protests and Vandalism Erupted

Students’ protest at Lovely Professional University (LPU) on Sunday allegedly turned violent. Reports say it erupted into violence with police over allegations that a student was raped on campus and subsequently commited suicide. Students are said to have blocked a section of the Delhi-Amritsar national highway and set buildings on fire. They also allegedly looted parts of the campus during the midnight protests.

The recent updates on the LPU protests:

Here are the recent developments in the LPU violence:

The accusations

Around one in the morning on Sunday, the protests moved close to the campus’s Girls’ Hostel-3. It started after some students claimed that a female resident had been sexually assaulted by a plumber three days prior. Additionally, they said that the Event was reported to the hostel warden, but no action was taken.

What the police said

However, police have stated that there was a “rumour” and that an inquiry is underway.

The University administration rejected reports of any rape incidents on campus. They called the accusations rumours. Police claimed a rape case was filed against an unidentified individual in response to a student complaint. A SIT was established to look into the subject.

The administration of LPU published a video

LPU VC Jaspal Singh said the institution is unaware of any such incidents when questioned about the allegations. They said they’ll cooperate with the investigation. The administration insisted the “rumours” were untrue. Registrar Monica Gulati claimed that some anti-social elements were disseminating”false, baseless and fabricated” accusations.

Additionally, the LPU released a video statement in which three female students from hostel room no. 504. The students claimed no rape incident had occurred and that they had been residing there for the previous two months.

Violence follows

Some alleged protesters with handkerchiefs covering their faces were indeed seen vandalizing stores at the University Mall. On Sunday night, more violence broke out after the demonstrating students stormed police cars and threw stones at them, injuring multiple officers. Five of them have been arrested by the police. The investigation is in progress, and they will now be questioned.

Exams are postponed, and classes are suspended

Due to the disturbances, LPU cancelled regular lectures for ten days starting September 28. Lovely Professional University also postponed midterm exams until later. As a result, students began heading home.