LPU campus safe after violence: Pro-Chancellor Rashmi Mittal appeals for calm amid 10-day class suspension

PTC Web Desk:  Lovely Professional University (LPU) on Monday said the situation on the campus had returned to normal after two days of violence, vandalism and arson. The university also maintained that the campus is safe as students began leaving for home following the suspension of classes and mid-term examinations for 10 days.

Pro-Chancellor Rashmi Mittal addressed students in a video message, her first formal statement after the incidents on Saturday and Sunday. She expressed disappointment that rumours circulating about the university had led to students believing unverified information instead of approaching the authorities.

She said LPU had several channels through which students could an raise concerns and urged them to use these mechanisms in the future.

“It is unfortunate what happened on campus on Saturday and Sunday,” she said, while highlighting the role of students in organising university activities through hundreds of student organisations.

Rashmi Mittal said she was hurt that students did not approach the university before believing the rumours. According to her, the situation was later aggravated after outsiders entered the campus, with some shops also being looted.

She also cautioned students against accepting information on social media without verification. She urged them to remain calm, stay positive and carefully consider the impact of decisions taken during tense situations.

She said the police were taking action against people who had come from outside and assured students that the university would continue to support them.

“Don’t worry — we are with you. Outsiders will be taken to task,” she added.

In a separate statement, LPU said some anti-social elements had taken advantage of the tense situation, leading to disruption and damage to university property. The university said such behaviour had no place on its campus and expressed confidence that legal action would be taken against those who entered from outside.

The university also praised students who came forward to challenge what it described as false claims. According to LPU, several students used social media and spoke to the media to clarify what had happened.

The university said the response from most students reflected their sense of responsibility and their continued trust in the institution.

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