A late-night protest erupted at Chitkara University near Rajpura in Punjab’s Patiala district on Friday after social media posts claimed that two female students were missing and linked the case to alleged suicide and ‘ghost’ rumours. Students gathered on the campus, property was damaged and a police vehicle was targeted before police stepped in as the claims spread online.
Police inquiry continues after viral rumours
He said there was no confirmed information identifying any missing student. Any claim about a suicide, missing students or paranormal activity remains unverified unless confirmed by police or other evidence. “I want to inform all parents that a matter came up today regarding Chitkara University, where students raised concerns about two girls being missing.
Another version claimed that a female student had died by suicide and that her ‘ghost’ was being seen or heard in the hostel. Other posts claimed that two female students had gone missing. None of these claims had been established as fact when the protest broke out. The protest centred on demands for answers about the social media claims and the alleged disappearance of two students. We also saw the issue surfacing on social media. We have taken cognisance of the matter, but no one knows who is missing or the names of the girls. However, we will investigate the matter and conduct verification. Authorities are also examining the violence and property damage during the protest, with further action expected on the basis of the investigation.
Chitkara University later said reports of a suicide or death at its girls’ hostel were false and had no factual basis. Police, however, said they had not been given the names of any students who were supposedly missing. DSP Banur Sukhdev Singh said police had taken cognisance of the concerns raised by students and had seen the claims circulating on social media. All the children are safe here; there is no need to worry or panic,” Sukhdev Singh said.
