Tension prevailed at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab’s Kapurthala district on Saturday, after students protested over unverified claims regarding the sexual assault of a female student inside the university, prompting hundreds of students to stage protests, vandalise buildings, and pelt stones within the campus premises.
Police deny allegations
The police denied any reported gangrape or suicide incident that circulated during the unrest, saying the situation appeared to have stemmed from a misunderstanding between students and the university administration. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kapurthala Gaurav Toora said discussions were under way between the students and the university administration, reported India Today. Windows were smashed, while bricks and flower pots were thrown. Parts of a university building were also set on fire. Police personnel reached the university after the unrest and brought the situation under control.
Police said they had found no evidence to substantiate the claims of gang rape or suicide and had not received any complaint in connection with the allegations. A youth present inside the university said the commotion had followed a rumour about an alleged rape on campus. He said that after checking inside the university himself, he found that no such incident had taken place. SSP Toora said the rumours that circulated during the incident would be investigated. He also said the protest had caused extensive damage to university property.
