Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) have described their experiences on campus as “horrific” as protests surrounding allegations of rape escalated into violence. Reports indicate incidents of vandalism, arson, and clashes occurred overnight, leading to significant unrest. The administration has taken measures to address the situation by suspending regular classes for ten days starting from Monday and postponing mid-term examinations until further notice.

In the wake of the violence, many students chose to return to their hometowns. The atmosphere turned concerning as a heavy police presence was noted on campus. While one student indicated that the situation seemed calm on Monday morning, there were lingering fears for safety stemming from the violence that had been reported the previous night.

According to a student, communication from the university confirmed the class suspension and examination delays. “We received the notice yesterday… Everything is peaceful inside the campus now,” the student remarked, adding that normalcy might potentially resume in the coming weeks.

Damage Reported to University Property

Another individual shared that the university’s administration informed students about damage to key buildings during the unrest. Allegedly, the main Computer Science building suffered significant vandalism and damage by fire, prompting the decision for a brief academic holiday.

Despite renewed tensions, this student emphasised that the current state of affairs felt secure, highlighting the presence of police as a stabilising factor. However, uncertainties regarding the future, particularly concerning the state of the damaged classrooms and the potential for online classes, persisted.

Safety emerged as a paramount concern among the student body. One student articulated that the administration prioritised student safety, encouraging them to remain in their hostels. “If they want to protest, it must be done peacefully,” the student stated, while noting claims about the involvement of outside individuals and damage inflicted upon university properties.

Violent Escalation and Administrative Response

Students detailed the events of the night that led to the escalation of violence. A student named Vishal Kumar recounted that prior to Sunday evening, conditions had remained stable, but the situation deteriorated as outside individuals allegedly arrived on campus wearing masks, triggering violence.

Another student, Karan, remarked on the differing conditions observed throughout Sunday, noting that the substantial police presence on Monday contributed to an atmosphere of contained peace. Nonetheless, the previous night was marked by considerable turmoil, with reports of clashes between police and students.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has responded to the unrest by ordering stringent measures against those identified as responsible and directed the Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, to assess conditions at the university. The protests reportedly emerged in response to allegations of a sexual assault against a university student, which are currently under investigation by police.

In statements made by the Superintendent of Police (Investigation), Harinder Gill, it was reported that conditions had stabilised by Monday, with a significant police presence continuing at the site. “The situation has been peaceful since last night,” he affirmed, also noting a large police deployment to maintain security around the campus.

Earlier measures by the Punjab Police included conducting a flag march at LPU, with over 2,000 personnel mobilised to ensure public order during this troubling episode.

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