Phagwara Protests Erupt Over Alleged Student Rape; Highway Blocked
Massive protests erupt in Phagwara as students block the Chandigarh-Amritsar highway following allegations of a student rape at LPU.
Chaos unfolded in Punjab’s Phagwara region early Sunday morning as massive student protests broke out following reports of an alleged rape of a university student on campus. The unrest, which began in the early hours, saw demonstrators vandalising property and eventually blocking the critical Chandigarh-Amritsar National Highway.
Midnight Unrest and Highway Blockade
The situation escalated rapidly after news of the incident spread across social media platforms. According to DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla, students from Lovely Professional University (LPU) began their demonstrations at approximately 2 AM on Sunday. The agitation quickly moved beyond the campus, leading to a significant disruption of traffic on the Chandigarh-Amritsar National Highway.
Police officials were forced to mobilise heavy forces, including several Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) from the range, to manage the escalating situation and restore order.
Investigation into the Alleged Incident
While the protests are centered on the alleged assault, police have noted that the investigation is still in its preliminary stages to ascertain the exact facts. The primary grievance of the protesters concerns an incident that allegedly took place on September 24, involving a female student residing in the university hostel.
Key details regarding the current investigation include:
- FIR Registered: An FIR has been filed against multiple unidentified individuals.
- Victim's Statement: Police have officially received the statement from the woman involved, which led to the registration of the case.
- Technical Probe: Authorities have committed to a thorough technical investigation, which will include forensic analysis, CCTV footage review, and mobile phone data examination.
- Current Status: The victim has reportedly returned to her home following the alleged crime.
Student Demands and Administrative Meeting
Beyond seeking justice for the alleged crime, the protesting students have put forward specific administrative demands to ensure the safety of female residents on campus. A major point of contention is the composition of the hostel staff.
The students are demanding that the university implement a policy where all staff members working within female hostels are women. Student representatives have scheduled a meeting with the LPU administration at 12 PM to discuss these grievances and the steps being taken to address campus security.
"We will ensure that their demands are met by sitting down with the management," stated DIG Singla, noting that the police are also consulting with student representatives as the investigation progresses.