Assault outside Punjab University women's hostel - Student Protests

A massive protest has erupted within the campus of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, India, concerning an alleged sexual assault on a female student. Rumors circulating on social media and among students that a female student residing in a university hostel was raped by an outsider on September 24 have caused this unrest.

Hundreds of students participated in this protest, which began early yesterday morning, and they engaged in the protest by blocking the national highway.

During this unrest, protesters behaved riotously, damaging property and setting fires. According to NDTV reports, videos have been released showing one student climbing onto a displayed Indian Air Force MiG-23UM aircraft, while about 10 other students are seen on a military tank. Additionally, videos confirm parts of a university building on fire, broken glass windows and flower pots, and damage to several shops on the campus premises. However, students allege that outsiders were involved in these acts of property damage.

According to Gaurav Toora, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kapurthala, the police have not yet found any evidence to confirm this rape allegation. Nevertheless, a case has been registered against an unknown person, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been appointed to investigate the incident. Naveen Singla, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jalandhar Range, stated that the main allegation made by the protesters is that a girl in the G3 hostel was raped three days ago and no action has been taken regarding it so far. Accordingly, the police have started recording statements from students and registering a First Information Report (FIR). Police say that the unrest began near the university's women's hostel around 1:00 AM.

Some students involved in the protest state that the alleged assault on the student was carried out by a plumber or a construction worker. Students further allege that although the hostel warden was informed about this, she did not take any action.