LPU unrest: 30-40 students under scanner, professor flags possible outsider role

LPU has put 30–40 students under the scanner after campus violence and vandalism. Dean Prof Sourabh Lakhanpal said CCTV footage is being examined, disciplinary action will follow the investigation, and possible outsider involvement is also being probed.

In Short

• LPU probes 30-40 students over campus violence post assault rumours
• Trophies broken, representing national-level student achievements
• Outsiders suspected in second-day violence, police investigating

Lovely Professional University (LPU) has begun the process of identifying students allegedly involved in the violence, arson and vandalism that broke out on campus following protests over unverified claims of an alleged assault at a girls' hostel. The university is forming a three-member disciplinary committee, while around 30-40 students are currently under the university's scanner as it examines CCTV footage and other materials.

The unrest began after social media claims circulated that a female student had allegedly been assaulted at the hostel, with rumours also claiming that the student had died by suicide and that the university had failed to act.

The claims triggered protests near the girls' hostel, which later escalated into vandalism, damage to university property, looting of shops and vehicles being set on fire. The protests also spilled onto NH-44, which remained blocked for more than 18 hours.

TROPHY DAMAGE RAISES QUESTIONS OVER CAMPUS VIOLENCE

Speaking about the damage on campus, LPU Dean of Student Welfare, Prof Sourabh Lakhanpal, said the breaking of trophies was particularly unfortunate because they represented years of work by students.

"If I take this to mean that students have broken them, it is very unfortunate and not at all acceptable," Lakhanpal said, adding that some of the trophies represented national-level achievements.

He said LPU had been the country champion at the Youth Festival in 2024-25, a competition involving multiple categories such as music, fine arts and theatre. According to him, the trophies represented years of effort by students.

30-40 STUDENTS UNDER SCANNER

Lakhanpal said a police report had been filed and that the police were carrying out their investigation. The university, meanwhile, is examining CCTV footage and other material to identify those allegedly involved in the vandalism.

"There were almost 2,000 students who were involved in the protest. The estimation will be 30-40," he said, referring to the number of students currently under scrutiny.

He said the university would form an indiscipline committee to examine the cases. The committee would hear all sides before deciding what action, if any, should be taken.

Lakhanpal said the university's approach would be guided by its existing protocols, but added that the objective should also be to improve students' behaviour and character.

"The first objective is to improve the academic institution," he said.

Asked about names circulating on social media, including that of a student identified as Farhat, Lakhanpal said the identification process was still under way. He said students would be called before the indiscipline committee once their identities were established, and that calling their parents would also form part of the process.

CCTV CAMERAS DAMAGED, LOSSES BEING ASSESSED

Lakhanpal said several CCTV cameras had allegedly been damaged during the violence. He said the university was also assessing the extent of damage at the campus mall and other locations.

According to him, the university had not yet established the exact financial loss. A survey of damaged shops and other property was being carried out.

"The surveyors will tell you exactly how much loss," he said.

Asked about the removal or damage of CCTV cameras and whether this indicated an attempt to destroy evidence, Lakhanpal said the university was examining the footage and circumstances surrounding the damage.

He also described the emotional impact of the incident as significant, saying the "emotional loss is the biggest loss", while the physical damage would be quantified after the survey.

SECOND-DAY VIOLENCE LINKED TO OUTSIDERS

Lakhanpal also alleged that people from outside the university were involved in the violence. He said videos showed masked people carrying rods and claimed that this raised questions about whether the violence on the second day had been planned.

"This means that if it had happened on the first day, I would have listened to you that it was impromptu. Why did it happen on the second day? Because there is complete indirect evidence that it was conspired through outsiders," he said.

He stressed that whether there was a political conspiracy would be a matter for investigation.

On the controversy surrounding the girls' hostel, Lakhanpal said the events should be viewed sequentially rather than isolating individual claims or incidents. He said students had initially sought dialogue, followed by demands to meet the girls, see the location, examine CCTV footage and form a student representative committee.

He also said allegations circulating on social media about campus safety needed to be examined comprehensively rather than through individual viral claims.

UNIVERSITY TO RETHINK SECURITY PROTOCOLS

Lakhanpal said the university would review its security arrangements and consider improvements based on student feedback. He also raised concerns about the role of social media in amplifying panic and misinformation, saying students should process information before acting on it.

"Kindly don't make decisions on the information. Process that information in the data," he said.

With classes suspended for 10 days and mid-term examinations postponed, the university is now focused on completing the inquiry, assessing the damage and preparing for students to return.

- Ends