PHAGWARA (GURPREET SINGH): Security personnel continued to remain deployed around Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara as authorities investigated a series of incidents that followed student unrest on the campus.
The situation has since eased and the highway near the university has been reopened. Police presence, however, remains in place as investigators examine allegations of vandalism, damage to vehicles, attacks on police personnel and members of the media, and the reported looting of shops during the disturbance.
Three additional FIRs have reportedly been registered in connection with the unrest. The cases relate to the highway blockade, alleged looting and vandalism on the university campus, and the burning of police vehicles. These proceedings are separate from an earlier FIR registered at Satnam police station concerning the alleged rape of a female student.
Police are also examining allegations involving social-media influencer Mohammad Farhat. A female student, in a video posted on Instagram, alleged that Farhat encouraged students to engage in violence and was involved in organising the vandalism at the university’s Dean of Student Welfare office. The allegations have not been established in court, and the investigation is continuing.
The unrest had resulted in significant disruption on the campus, with reports of vehicles being damaged and confrontations involving police and media personnel. Investigators are examining available evidence to identify those responsible for the various incidents.
Meanwhile, the university administration has rejected what it described as a series of unverified claims circulating on social media following the protests.
LPU Registrar Dr Monica Gulati said the institution had taken note of what it called “false, baseless and fabricated” information being circulated through social-media platforms and other channels. According to the university, such posts have contributed to confusion among students and have affected the academic environment.
The university urged students, parents and members of the public to rely on information issued through official channels rather than unverified posts or messages circulating online.
The administration further alleged that the repeated circulation of misleading material was aimed at harming the university’s reputation, while maintaining that the rumours currently circulating were not accurate.
The developments at LPU have come amid student protests at other educational institutions in Punjab, including Chitkara University, where students have also held demonstrations.
Police investigations into the Phagwara incidents remain underway, with authorities expected to examine CCTV footage, social-media material and other evidence as they work to establish the sequence of events and identify those allegedly responsible.
