LPU campus violence sparks political row in Punjab; university blames outsiders

Opposition parties in Punjab on Monday attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government over the State's law and order situation, a day after protests and clashes between students and police at Lovely Professional University's Phagwara campus over the alleged rape of a female student. They demanded a thorough inquiry into the episode.

On Sunday, protesters blocked National Highway-44 near Phagwara, damaged university property, stopped traffic and clashed with police. Students alleged that a female hosteller had been raped by a plumber the previous week and that no action had been taken. The private university has denied the allegations, and the alleged victim has not yet been identified. Police registered an FIR containing rape charges against unknown persons and set up a special investigation team.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav visited the campus on Monday and said those involved in the vandalism would face action, adding that the police had exercised restraint.

Outsiders blamed, probes sought

Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, the university's founder-chancellor, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after quitting AAP in April this year.

Former BJP Punjab president Sunil Jakhar said the sudden escalation of a peaceful student protest after the involvement of armed outsiders warranted investigation, including whether it was an attempt to settle a political score or to inflame tensions through agents of separatists based in a neighbouring country or other foreign countries. He demanded a National Investigation Agency probe.

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that AAP used LPU students as pawns for revenge, claiming that after Mr. Mittal joined the BJP, outsiders were brought from Delhi to provoke the agitation. He cited video evidence of people carrying walkie-talkies, bats and weapons while police remained mute spectators, and sought a central government probe.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also demanded an independent inquiry and said there appeared to be a pattern in violence at two university campuses, referring to LPU and Chitkara University. He described the unrest at two private universities within days as an ominous sign and another example of the collapse of law and order.

Campus safe, says university

Several students left the campus after the university announced a 10-day suspension of classes and postponed midterm examinations. Authorities said on Monday that the campus was safe, and held a meeting with police, the civil administration and student representatives, reiterating that outsiders were to blame for the unrest.

Vice Chancellor Jaspal Singh said in a statement that student representatives were unanimous that the unrest was primarily the result of outsiders entering the campus unlawfully with the intent of disturbing peace. The matter is being looked into and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with law, the statement said.

On Sunday, in a bid to pacify protesters, the university released a video of three female students purportedly dismissing claims of a rape on campus. On Monday, the three students said the institution had not taken their consent before posting the video and that they were facing abuse and harassment. One of them said in a clip circulating on social media that their video had been trimmed and posted on Instagram without their knowledge or consent.