Tensions flared at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara as students clashed with police following allegations of a rape on campus. The situation deteriorated into student rampages, stone-pelting, and police use of force, resulting in injuries and damaged vehicles. While the university denied the rape claims as baseless rumors aimed at tarnishing its image and presented counter-evidence, students expressed deep mistrust, leading to ongoing unrest and attempts by authorities to restore order.

Tensions flared at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara as students clashed with police following allegations of a rape on campus. The situation deteriorated into student rampages, stone-pelting, and police use of force, resulting in injuries and damaged vehicles. While the university denied the rape claims as baseless rumors aimed at tarnishing its image and presented counter-evidence, students expressed deep mistrust, leading to ongoing unrest and attempts by authorities to restore order.

Tensions flared at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara as students clashed with police following allegations of a rape on campus. The situation deteriorated into student rampages, stone-pelting, and police use of force, resulting in injuries and damaged vehicles. While the university denied the rape claims as baseless rumors aimed at tarnishing its image and presented counter-evidence, students expressed deep mistrust, leading to ongoing unrest and attempts by authorities to restore order.

A tense situation prevailed in Punjab's Phagwara as clashes between students and police at Lovely Professional University (LPU) erupted once again.

The clashes, which broke out after claims that an outsider raped a female student on the university premises, saw students of the LPU going on a rampage on the campus early Sunday. Though the situation had calmed down by evening, further clashes broke out after some bottles were thrown at the students while the police were trying to talk to them.

The incident took place around 8 pm after police switched off lights in the surrounding areas as a precaution against violence. However, protesters allegedly continued to pelt stones.

Following this, the police resorted to a lathi charge, using mild force to disperse the gathering and restore order. Several students and police personnel were injured in the clashes, and a police vehicle was set on fire.

Phagwara SP Major Singh, DSP Palwinder Singh and SDM Navjot Sharma remained at the spot as the police and civil administration tried to bring the situation under control.

Jalandhar Rural SSP Harvinder Singh Virk said four to five police vehicles were damaged in the violence.
Though police said a rape case has been registered against an unknown person on a complaint by the students, the university authority denied claims of any rape incident on campus, calling them "rumour".

A statement by the LPU also reiterated that there was no truth in the "rumours", with Registrar Monica Gulati saying some anti-social elements were spreading "false, baseless and fabricated" allegations. The LPU also released a video statement of three female students of Room No. 504, Girls' Hostel-3, claiming that no rape incident took place, saying they have been staying there for the past two months.

This evidence was shared with the students, the police said. However, students expressed deep mistrust towards the university administration.

In the statement, the university said it appears to be a "deliberate" and "concerted" attempt to malign the reputation of the university and "tarnish its image". 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," it said. 

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