LPU students protest, block highway, set objects on fire over unverified rape report

CHANDIGARH: An unverified allegation that a girl student had been raped in a hostel triggered a protest at Lovely Professional University late Saturday night, with students later going on a rampage on the campus and blocking the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway.Videos circulating on social media showed students damaging window panes and flower pots on the university campus, while some objects were also seen being set on fire.The students also blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highwayPolice officials said there was no complaint and that even during the protests, students could not provide any details about the alleged victim. LPU refuted the "false and fabricated rumours" and blamed anti-social elements for the mischief.Cops managed to persuade the students to lift the blockade in the morning, but they blocked the highway again, affecting traffic to parts of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said the pattern matched the trouble at Chitkara University, as here too the unrest started with hearsay about the alleged rape of a student, but nobody knew about the victim or the accused. First, it was being said that the victim had committed suicide, and then it was said that she had been made to disappear and that the warden had also been changed."A statement of the students has been recorded and we are investigating. However, still no particulars are known," the SSP said."It has come to the notice of the University that certain anti-social elements are spreading completely false, baseless and fabricated rumours through social media and other channels, thereby creating unnecessary confusion among students and attempting to disturb the peaceful academic environment of the University," said University registrar Dr Monica Gulati in a statement issued on Sunday morning."The manner in which such false and misleading information is being systematically circulated appears to be a deliberate and concerted attempt to malign the reputation of the University and tarnish its image. The University categorically clarifies that there is no truth in the rumours presently being circulated.""Students, parents and members of the public are requested not to believe, circulate or amplify such rumours. They should rely upon information communicated through official channels of the University only," Gulati said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chandigarh | Silver Rate in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh | Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Petrol Price in Chandigarh | Diesel Price in Chandigarh | CNG Price in Chandigarh | LPG Price in ChandigarhStay updated with the latest Chandigarh news. Download the TOI App.