Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed state DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara and assess the situation after violent student protests on the campus. The university has suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed mid-term examinations following the unrest.The protests followed claims circulating among students and on social media about the alleged sexual assault of a female student at the university. Police have registered an FIR and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), while LPU has rejected the allegations as false and fabricated.Key HighlightsPunjab CM Bhagwant Mann directed DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit LPU.The move follows violent student protests at the Phagwara campus.LPU has suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28.Mid-term examinations have been postponed until further notice.Police have registered an FIR and formed an SIT.LPU has denied the alleged sexual-assault claims.Police have deployed a large force around the university.Traffic on the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway has been restored.Why Are Students Protesting at LPU?The unrest began after claims circulated that a female student had allegedly been sexually assaulted inside a girls' hostel at LPU. Students alleged that the incident involved an outsider and questioned the university's response.However, the allegation has not been established by the ongoing investigation. LPU has rejected the claims, describing them as false and fabricated. Police have said they are investigating the matter and have registered an FIR based on a statement from protesting students.Police have also been examining CCTV footage from the hostel as part of the investigation. According to reports, no accused person has been named in the FIR so far.How Did the LPU Protest Turn Violent?The student protest escalated over the weekend, with protesters damaging university property and setting vehicles and other items on fire. Parts of the campus were also damaged during the unrest.Students also blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch of National Highway-44 for more than 15 hours, affecting traffic movement in the area. Police later restored traffic on the highway.The Tribune reported that three police vehicles and a campus building were set on fire during Sunday's violence. Police subsequently increased security around the university.Punjab CM Directs DGP to Visit LPUFollowing the escalation, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann directed DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit LPU and personally assess the situation.The Chief Minister has also called for action in connection with the violence, while authorities continue investigating the allegations that triggered the protests.Police have deployed a large number of personnel at the campus gates. Officials said the situation was peaceful by Monday morning after the university suspended classes and students began leaving for their homes.LPU Suspends Classes for 10 DaysLPU announced that regular classes would remain suspended for 10 days from September 28. The university also postponed mid-term examinations until further notice.Students who wish to leave the campus have been advised to coordinate with their parents or guardians. The university has also asked students to remain calm, follow official instructions and avoid unnecessary movement or participation in unrest-related activities.Police Investigation UnderwayThe Jalandhar Range police have formed an SIT to investigate the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the protests. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and other available evidence.Police have also been investigating the broader unrest at LPU and a separate protest at Chitkara University. Punjab Police said investigators are examining whether there is any connection between the two incidents.At present, the alleged sexual assault remains a matter under investigation. LPU's denial and the police probe mean that claims circulating on social media should not be treated as established facts.What Happens Next?The immediate focus remains on maintaining safety and restoring normalcy at the university. The DGP's visit is expected to provide an assessment of the situation on the ground, while the SIT continues its investigation.The university's 10-day class suspension and postponement of examinations will remain in place as authorities work to address the unrest and investigate the allegations that triggered the protests.
