Following violent student protests that led to property damage and highway blockades on campus, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav to personally assess the situation at Lovely Professional University (LPU), prompting the university administration to suspend classes and close the campus for 10 days. The executive intervention follows intense student agitation sparked by unverified social media claims, which escalated into clashes with law enforcement, vandalism, and the postponement of upcoming examinations. Escalation of Campus Protests and UnrestThe turmoil at the Phagwara campus erupted following widespread rumors circulating on social media regarding an alleged sexual assault on campus premises. Despite explicit denials from university authorities—who characterized the claims as false, fabricated, and unverified rumors—large groups of students gathered to demand accountability and immediate administrative action. What began as a demonstration quickly turned chaotic as protest groups damaged campus property, set fires, and clashed with police personnel deployed to maintain order. Protesting students moved beyond the university gates to block the crucial New Delhi-Amritsar National Highway (NH-44), disrupting inter-state traffic for over 15 hours. To disperse the crowds, clear the national highway, and restore order, police forces resorted to a mild lathi charge after demonstrators allegedly pelted stones and damaged police vehicles. Heavy police deployments remain stationed at all primary entry gates to prevent further flare-ups. State Government Intervention and SIT FormationTaking stern note of the public safety breakdown and destruction of infrastructure, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed the state's top police officials to intervene directly. The Chief Minister instructed DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit the LPU campus, review security measures, and ensure a thorough, evidence-based investigation into both the underlying allegations and the orchestrators of the violence. To address student grievances transparently while restoring order, the Punjab Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Led by senior police officers, the SIT will operate with student representatives to investigate the allegations impartially. Law enforcement authorities confirmed that an First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged, and investigators are scrutinizing digital evidence, CCTV footage, and social media channels to trace the source of the rumors. Key Event / ParameterAction / Status UpdateState Government ResponseCM Bhagwant Mann orders DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit campus & assess order.Investigative MechanismSpecial Investigation Team (SIT) formed with student representation.University Operational StatusCampus closed for 10 days; classes & mid-term exams postponed.Traffic SituationNH-44 highway blockade cleared; traffic movement restored.Police ActionFIR registered; investigating social media origin of unverified claims.Campus Closure and Administrative AdvisoryIn light of the security situation and to prevent further escalation, the Lovely Professional University management announced a mandatory 10-day closure of the campus. All physical classes, laboratory work, and scheduled mid-term examinations have been postponed until further notice. The university issued a formal advisory urging students to remain calm, avoid participating in unauthorized gatherings, and disregard unverified social media information. LPU authorities advised outstation students wishing to return home to coordinate with their parents and arrange travel during the 10-day shutdown period. For students choosing to stay in residential hostels, strict campus movement protocols have been enforced. Broader Context and Ongoing ProbePolice officials revealed that they are also examining whether the unrest at LPU shares operational links or external influence with similar recent student protests at other regional educational institutions, including Chitkara University. Investigators emphasized that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, vandalism, arson, and the disruption of national highways will be met with strict legal consequences. With heavy police pickets maintaining a vigil across the Phagwara-Jalandhar belt, state authorities maintain that the situation on campus has stabilized into a tense peace. The upcoming findings of the SIT will be instrumental in addressing student trust while determining legal accountability for the campus violence.Also Read :- LPU Protests: Punjab CM Directs DGP to Visit Campus as University Suspends Classes for 10 Days
