Lovely University suspends classes for 10 days over rape incident, police take control

JALANDHAR: Lovely Professional University in Punjab’s Jalandhar has been closed for 10 days following clashes that erupted after a female student was sexually abused. The student was sexually abused in the university hostel by a man who had come for plumbing works. Following the incident, students staged protests early Sunday morning.

Widespread violence and damage to property were reported on the university campus and the nearby national highway. Students also clashed with police who arrived to bring the situation under control. Students set police vehicles on fire.

Police have now taken control of the university, with 2,000 personnel deployed on the campus. Police conducted a flag march inside the university. Students have been directed not to leave their hostels. Jalandhar DIG Naveen Singla said the situation is under control.

The police have informed that a special team had been formed to investigate the incident and a case had been registered against the person suspected of committing the crime. The police said forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone calls would be examined before reaching a conclusion in the case. A student from Telangana had committed suicide in the university 15 days ago. Police said a detailed investigation into that incident would be conducted if necessary.

Meantime, there are allegations that university authorities have sent the abused student home, without informing the police.

The protests, which began on Saturday night, continued on Sunday. Students set fire to several buildings and vehicles on the campus. One student climbed onto a model of a MiG-23 fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force, which was displayed on the campus, and staged a protest.

Even after police arrived and informed the students that an FIR had been registered, the protests continued. The police later took control of the university.