Punjab university protest follows unverified rape claim, police begin inquiry

Students at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, held a large protest early on Sunday after unverified social-media reports alleged that a female student had been raped, police said. The students gathered at the campus at about 1:45 a.m. and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway.

Videos circulating online appeared to show damage to window panes and flower pots, as well as objects being set on fire. Naveen Singla, Deputy Inspector General of the Jalandhar Range, said police had begun the process of registering a first information report against an unknown person based on the allegations raised by protesters. He said the investigation would include forensic analysis, examination of CCTV footage and checks of phone data.

Mr Singla also said a Special Investigation Team would be formed to examine the allegations. The available report did not establish that a rape had occurred. Gaurav Toora, the Kapurthala senior superintendent of police, said police had no information about such a crime when officers arrived at the university.

He said the gathering had followed rumours circulating on social media. Mr Toora said officers also spoke to students who raised broader concerns about the university administration. The students said their issues were not being addressed properly, he said, adding that police were attempting to help resolve them.

The police official said the situation was under control. A heavy police presence was deployed at the university, while authorities began assessing property damage and said necessary legal action would follow. The protest came a day after students at Chitkara University in Patiala demonstrated over unverified claims that two female students had been found dead on campus.

Students in that incident also damaged a police vehicle, according to the report.