CHANDIGARH: MiG-23 fighter jet, military tank, burning vehicles and vandalised shops — dramatic visuals from Lovely Professional University captured the scale of the violence during protests on the campus over allegations of rape of a female student.At LPU, a student was seen climbing atop a decommissioned MiG-23UM aircraft installed on the campus, while several others mounted a military tank. The striking scenes unfolded as protests over the alleged incident escalated on Sunday.Videos circulating on social media showed protesters purportedly damaging window panes and flower pots on the campus, while some objects were set on fire. Other videos showed people with their faces covered vandalising shops inside the university mall and taking items from a grocery store.
Students hold a protest at Lovely Professional University (LPU), in Jalandhar on Sunday.
Damaged vehicles and a vandalised ATM kiosk were also seen in the videos. Two police vehicles were later set on fire during clashes outside the campus, while several other vehicles were damaged.The protests began near Girls’ Hostel-3 around 1am on Sunday after students alleged that a female student had been raped by a plumber three days earlier. They also claimed the hostel warden had been informed but no action was taken.The university has denied the allegations, calling them “false, baseless and fabricated rumours”.Police have registered an FIR against unknown persons on the basis of the students’ complaint and formed a special investigation team. Police said CCTV footage, forensic samples and call records would be examined as part of the probe.
Students hold a protest at Lovely Professional University (LPU), in Jalandhar on Sunday.
The protest later spilled onto NH-44, with students blocking the Delhi-Amritsar highway for more than 15 hours. Traffic was disrupted, leaving long queues of vehicles and stranded commuters.The situation worsened on Sunday evening when police tried to clear the blockade. Students allegedly hurled bottles and later pelted stones at police, following which police resorted to lathi charge. Several police personnel were injured and vehicles were damaged.
Lovely Professional University has taken precautionary measures by postponing mid-term examinations and halting regular classes for ten days.
A heavy police force was subsequently deployed at the university. More than 2,000 personnel were deployed overnight, and police said the situation was brought under control by Monday morning.LPU has suspended regular classes for 10 days from Monday and postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice. Students have also been allowed to return to their hometowns after consulting their parents or guardians.
