PHAGWARA, Sept 27: Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara staged a protest and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway early Sunday following allegations that a female student was raped on the campus by an outsider.

The protest began around 1 am near the girls’ hostel, with students alleging that a plumber had sexually assaulted the student three days earlier. They also claimed that the hostel warden had been informed about the incident but no action was taken.

The agitation later turned violent, with videos circulating on social media purportedly showing students damaging window panes, flower pots and other property. Some objects were also allegedly set on fire, while shops on the campus were reportedly vandalised.

The highway blockade caused a major traffic disruption, prompting authorities to divert vehicles towards the Phagwara-Jandiala road for traffic heading towards Jalandhar and through other arterial routes.

A large police contingent from Kapurthala, Jalandhar Rural and Hoshiarpur districts was deployed following the unrest.

Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora said police received information around 1:45 am that students had gathered at the university and blocked a road. He said officers spoke to the protesters and found that the gathering was linked to rumours and grievances concerning the university administration.

Jalandhar Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Naveen Singla, who reached the spot, said senior police officers had been mobilised to handle the situation.

According to Singla, students told police that the girl had subsequently returned to her home and alleged that no action had been taken over the matter. He said an FIR would be registered on the students’ complaint against an unidentified person.

The DIG said the case would be investigated through forensic examination, CCTV footage and phone records. A special investigation team will also be constituted, with the probe being carried out in coordination with student representatives.

Singla said the protesters had also raised other demands, including a request for women to be deployed across the hostel staff. A meeting between student representatives and the university management was scheduled for noon to discuss their concerns.

Earlier, SSP Toora said the situation was under control after police engaged with the students and heard their grievances.

Meanwhile, LPU rejected the allegations circulating on social media, describing them as false, baseless and fabricated. The university alleged that certain anti-social elements were deliberately spreading misinformation to create confusion and disrupt the academic environment.

The institution appealed to students, parents and the public not to circulate unverified information and urged them to rely on official communication channels.

The incident occurred a day after students of Chitkara University in Patiala held a protest over unverified reports concerning the alleged suicides of two female students on campus. Protesters in that incident also reportedly damaged a police vehicle.