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LPU Protest: NH-44 Traffic Restored as Police Say Situation Under Control, Classes Suspended
Punjab: Traffic movement on National Highway-44 (NH-44) near Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara has been restored after students blocked the highway for more than 15 hours during protests on campus. Police say the situation is under control, while there is a sizeable police deployment around the university.
The unrest follows student protests over allegations concerning a purported rape of a female student by an outsider. Police said a case was registered against an unknown person upon a complaint and that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed. LPU, meanwhile, has described the claims about the alleged incident on campus as rumours. The allegations are under investigation.
NH-44 Traffic Restored after Over 15 Hours
According to Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh, traffic on NH-44 resumed overnight during the intervening night after the highway had been blocked for over 15 hours. The highway is an important connection between Jalandhar and Phagwara, which means that the closure of the highway poses a significant challenge to commuters and other road users.
Police have said that the situation has become peaceful after the highway was re-opened. Police personnel continued to be deployed around the LPU campus, with arrangements made at the university gates as students began to leave for their homes.
What Happened at LPU?
The protest began following claims regarding an alleged sexual assault involving a female student. According to police, students had blocked NH-44 outside the university from the morning. The situation escalated later when police attempted to clear the highway. Officials said that protesters had thrown water bottles at police personnel, while police used a lathi charge. Students subsequently moved towards the campus, during which officials said stones were thrown at police personnel and their vehicles.
Police have reported damage to several vehicles including the setting on fire of two police vehicles. Several police personnel were also reportedly injured during the clashes. Videos circulating online seem to show damage to parts of the campus, but individual social-media claims should not be assumed to be independently verified evidence.
Heavy Police Deployment at University
A large police contingent led by ADGP M F Farooqui entered the university campus after the escalation. Senior officers including Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh, DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla and Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora were involved in the operation, with a flag march being conducted on the campus.
Police have said that the situation is under control and that security arrangements will be maintained to prevent further disruption. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also asked DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit the university and assess the situation, according to official sources cited by PTI.
LPU Suspends Classes for 10 Days
Lovely Professional University has suspended regular classes for 10 days in response to the unrest. The university has also postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice. Students have been permitted to return home during the suspension period after consulting with their parents or guardians.
Those remaining on campus have been advised to remain inside their hostels or residences, avoid unnecessary movement and follow official instructions. The university's existing academic calendar had scheduled mid-term tests for early October, but the latest suspension and postponement mean that students should consult with further communication from LPU for the revised examination arrangements.
SIT Investigating Allegations
Police have said that an FIR has been registered against an unknown person in connection with the complaint involving the alleged rape. An SIT has been constituted to investigate the allegations. Investigators are expected to examine available evidence, including CCTV footage and other material, to reach conclusions.
At the same time, it is important to differentiate between the allegations and established facts. Whilst the protest was prompted by claims surrounding the alleged incident, the university has disputed the claim that such an incident occurred on its campus. The investigation will determine the facts.
Final Thoughts
For students and parents, the immediate priority should be to follow verified university and police communications as opposed to unverified social-media posts. Students remaining at LPU should follow campus security instructions, avoid areas affected by the unrest and consult the university's official communication channels for information on classes, examinations, hostel arrangements and further academic updates.
The restoration of NH-44 is an important step towards normalisation of movement around the university, but the continued police presence and academic suspension indicates that authorities are still dealing with the aftermath of the unrest. For now, police say the situation is under control and peaceful, while the investigation into the allegations continues.
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