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Students protest at LPU after claims go viral on social media
Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab began protesting late Saturday night following unverified claims of an alleged sexual assault and the death of a student. These claims, which are viral on social media, have not yet been confirmed by the police and the university administration.
During the protest, incidents of vandalism and damage to property were reported in the university campus. Information has also emerged about goods being set on fire at some places. Police increased security to control the situation.
The students were demanding an investigation into the alleged incident and registration of an FIR. However, according to the police, no clear information or complaint was received about the alleged victim even during the protest.
Protests escalated into the night, with large numbers of students gathering.
According to reports, the number of students on the university campus began to increase after claims spread on social media late at night. Around 2 pm, a large number of students reached the main entrance and started protesting.
After this the protesters damaged some properties in the campus. The police and administration tried to calm the students and normalize the situation.
The most important thing in the matter is that the claims circulating on social media have not yet been independently confirmed. Police said they had not received any formal complaint regarding the alleged incident.
Protesters reached the highway around 4 a.m.
The impact of the protests was felt beyond the university campus. At around 4 pm, a group of students blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway and demanded action.
Traffic was affected due to the protest on the highway. The police reached the spot and tried to control the situation and the deployment of security forces was increased.
The main demand of the students was to register an FIR in the alleged case and investigate the entire incident. Police said it was necessary to first verify the allegations and investigate the available facts.
Police said no formal complaint has been received yet.
According to police officials, no formal complaint has yet been received regarding the alleged incident that is being cited as the reason behind the protest. Officials also said the protesters could not provide clear information about the alleged victim.
Because of this, the police are investigating the authenticity of the claims circulated on social media. It is also important for the authorities to find out on what basis the viral claims have come to light and how much truth there is in them.
Until the investigation is complete, it would not be appropriate to present the allegations circulating on social media as fact. These have also been described as unconfirmed claims in the available reports.
Protests at another university after Chitkara University
The LPU protest is the second such incident at a university in Punjab in recent days where students took to the streets to protest after unverified information spread on social media.
A day earlier, protests had erupted at Chitkara University near Patiala following unverified claims on social media about the alleged deaths of female students. Police and medical officials there had termed the viral claims as false.
After both incidents, questions have also been raised about sharing any serious claims on social media without verifying them. The administration now faces the challenge of addressing the concerns of the students and making correct information public.
LPU administration calls viral claims unverified
LPU officials have stated that the suicide claims circulating on social media are not true and that no student suicide has been confirmed.
The police have also not been able to confirm the allegations of alleged sexual offence at present. In such a situation, it would not be appropriate to frame charges against any person or organization before the investigation is completed.
Meanwhile, security has been increased on the LPU campus, and the police are monitoring the situation. There is pressure on the administration to pay attention to the safety of students and their complaints at the university.
The protests began with unverified claims; the full picture will be clear after an investigation.
The protests that began late last night at LPU are now focused on the police investigation and administrative action. The students are demanding an FIR and an investigation into the alleged incident, while according to the police, no formal complaint has been received yet confirming the allegations.
Police have increased security arrangements following highway blockage and damage to property on the premises. The priority of the authorities now is to maintain calm and fact-check the claims circulating on social media.
At present, the claims related to alleged sexual crimes and suicide remain unconfirmed. The real picture of the entire incident will become clear only after investigation and official information comes out.
