Badal Alleges 'Larger Conspiracy' After Weapons Found at LPU
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal claims outsiders with weapons and walkie-talkies were found at LPU during protests, alleging a political conspiracy.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has launched a scathing attack on the Punjab government, alleging a "larger conspiracy" behind the recent unrest at Lovely Professional University (LPU). The SAD leader claimed that the protests, which turned violent, involved outsiders equipped with weapons and walkie-talkies.
Outsiders and Weapons Alleged
Taking to social media platform X, Badal stated that students had personally apprehended individuals who did not belong to the university. According to the SAD chief, these individuals were carrying communication devices and weapons. He highlighted the bravery of the students who managed to nab these outsiders before questioning the police regarding the legal actions taken following the arrests.
"It is shocking that goons carrying walkie-talkies and weapons were found inside LPU - and it was the brave students who nabbed them and got them arrested," Badal remarked, questioning why the police had not yet filed an FIR regarding these specific apprehensions.
Political Firestorm: Badal Targets AAP
The SAD chief did not mince words while targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration. He suggested that the chaos at the university was a calculated move to distract the public from significant political issues. Specifically, Badal linked the incident to recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids and alleged financial irregularities involving the Delhi leadership.
Badal accused Arvind Kejriwal and his leadership of attempting to "deceive Punjabis" to divert attention from:
- Allegations of a Rs 10,000 crore scam revealed during ED raids.
- Claims regarding the illegal occupation of government bungalows in Chandigarh.
- Allegations of running Punjab by proxy.
He further criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that the CM had "failed Punjab" by failing to ensure peace and security, accusing him of misusing state machinery for political purposes instead of protecting students.
The LPU Unrest: What We Know So Far
The protests at the Phagwara-based university were triggered by social media reports concerning the alleged rape of a student within a girls' hostel. The situation escalated on Sunday, leading to:
- Clashes between various groups.
- Acts of vandalism.
- Vehicles being set on fire.
While authorities have registered an FIR against several unknown individuals, they have not yet confirmed if the alleged incident occurred inside the campus, and the identity of the accused remains unknown. The university has suspended regular classes for 10 days starting September 28 and has postponed mid-term examinations indefinitely.
Current Security Status at the Campus
Despite the high tension, the situation on Monday morning was reported to be calm. Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Harinder Gill informed that there were no active protests on campus and that students had begun leaving the premises. He confirmed that heavy police presence has been maintained at all campus gates.
In response to the volatility, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered strict action against those responsible. He has directed the Punjab Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, to personally visit the university to assess the ground reality. Currently, more than 2,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order, following a flag march conducted by the Punjab Police.