LPU Campus Violence: Protests Turn Into UniMall Looting, Arson and Highway Blockade
Lovely Professional University in Punjab witnessed widespread unrest and arson following student protests over alleged rape rumours, which the university authorities dismissed as fake news. Protests escalated as over 2,000 students blocked the national highway for more than 18 hours. CCTV footage from UniMall within the university premises captured mobs looting shops, stealing laptops, mobile phones, and damaging ATMs. Shop owners claimed damages amounting to crores of rupees. While the university alleged that outsiders with vested interests breached campus gates to vitiate the atmosphere, shopkeepers stated that regular students were among those involved in the vandalism. Punjab Police registered a First Information Report and constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the violence. Simultaneously, the university administration formed a three-member disciplinary action committee to identify 30 to 40 students suspected of leading the arson and loot.
