"Police used restraint, resolved students' grievances through dialogue": Punjab DGP on unrest at Lovely Professional University
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav says police used restraint to resolve student grievances at LPU following vandalism and rumours. An SIT has been formed.
The Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, has addressed the recent turmoil at Lovely Professional University (LPU), stating that law enforcement prioritized dialogue over force to manage the escalating tension. The unrest, which began on the intervening night of September 26 and 27, was triggered by various late-night rumours circulating on campus.
According to the DGP, the situation escalated as a large number of students gathered, leading to instances of vandalism and even an attempt to set fire to a portion of the university gate. Despite the chaos, Yadav emphasized that senior officers, including the DIG Jalandhar Range and SSP Kapurthala, moved quickly to stabilize the campus environment.
Dialogue Over Force: A Conscious Decision
Addressing the methods used by the police, DGP Yadav highlighted that officers made a deliberate choice to avoid heavy-handedness. "Our officers took the view that since there was some provocation, action was taken, and we would use minimum force. A very conscious decision was made not to use force on the students," he remarked.
The police acted as a mediator between the agitated students and the university administration. The students' grievances were centered around specific issues, including demands for female-only staff within the girls' hostels. Yadav noted that by acting as a bridge, the police were able to facilitate discussions to resolve these underlying problems.
SIT Formed to Probe Vandalism and Outsider Involvement
While the police focused on de-escalating the situation, they have not ruled out legal consequences for those who engaged in violence. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to conduct a thorough probe into the incidents. An FIR has already been registered, and the DGP warned that anyone involved in vandalism would face strict legal action.
The investigation is looking into several suspicious elements discovered during the unrest:
- Presence of Outsiders: The discovery of walkie-talkies on campus suggests the possible involvement of individuals from outside the university.
- CCTV Evidence: Viral footage from within the premises reportedly shows men approaching the women's hostel, an incident that may have acted as a catalyst for the violence.
- Scientific Identification: The police intend to use CCTV footage and scientific methods to identify those who took the law into their own hands.
"Whoever is involved in the incident related to the students, strict legal action will be taken against them. No matter how big a person they are, whether it's from the university administration or anyone else, the law will take its course," Yadav asserted.
Government Response and Public Appeal
The unrest follows directives from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, who has ordered strict action regarding an alleged rape incident and instructed the DGP to personally oversee the situation at the university.
In light of the confusion, the DGP appealed to the general public to ignore unverified rumours and urged the media to rely solely on authentic sources. He defended the police's role, noting that while using force is an easy option, the department chose the more constructive path of self-control and grievance resolution.