LPU violence: Kapurthala police arrest 3 suspects over campus violence and arson
Phagwara: The Kapurthala police have arrested three persons in connection with the violence, vandalism and alleged arson at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, sources said.
The three accused are expected to be produced before the Phagwara court, as the police continue their investigation into the incident.
According to information available so far, the arrested suspects are allegedly linked directly to the violence and fire-related incidents reported at the university campus. The police are examining their individual roles and gathering further evidence as part of the investigation.
Raids underway outside Punjab
Police teams are also conducting raids at multiple locations outside Punjab as they search for other people suspected to be involved in the incident.
The investigation is focused on identifying everyone who allegedly participated in the violence, vandalism and arson. Further arrests are expected as the police make progress in the case.
Officials are expected to provide more details regarding the arrests and the allegations against the accused as the investigation proceeds.
Also Read | LPU violence: Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks status report from govt, Jalandhar Police Commissioner
Chancellor Ashok Mittal says 'Punjab facing growing security concerns'
Speaking in Delhi, LPU Chancellor Ashok Mittal alleged that outsiders exploited student unrest and called for a detailed probe into the violence, vandalism and theft at the university.
Lovely Professional University (LPU) Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal has spoken publicly for the first time about the violence that erupted on the university campus in Phagwara, saying the incident has raised serious questions about security in Punjab.
Speaking to a news agency in Delhi, Mittal said he was concerned about the growing sense of insecurity in the state. He pointed to issues such as drug abuse, gangster activities, snatching and alleged kidnappings, saying Punjab’s business community was increasingly worried about its safety.
Mittal also drew a comparison between the recent unrest at LPU and an earlier incident at Chitkara University. According to him, both incidents followed a similar pattern, with claims circulating through Reddit and other online platforms before tensions escalated. He alleged that some outsiders used these platforms to provoke students and later entered the LPU campus, where vandalism and theft took place.
He said the incident should not be viewed simply as a dispute involving LPU or himself and suggested that investigators should examine whether there was a wider attempt to create unrest in Punjab. Mittal also referred to Punjab’s border location and said the authorities should establish who was behind the developments.
The LPU campus witnessed major protests after social media claims emerged on September 26 regarding an alleged sexual assault involving a female student. Some online posts also claimed the student had died. The police later said the allegations were being investigated, while LPU rejected the claims.
The protests subsequently spread to the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway, which remained blocked for around 18 hours. Tensions intensified on September 27 when the police attempted to clear the highway, leading to clashes, stone and bottle throwing, and damage to police vehicles. Vehicles were also set on fire.
The highway was reopened on September 28, while LPU suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed mid-term examinations. Reports of vandalism and theft later emerged from the university’s Uni Mall.
On September 30, the police said three FIRs had been registered in connection with the violence, highway blockade, vandalism, alleged looting and attacks on police personnel. An eight-member SIT has also been formed to investigate the matter. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought a status report from the government by October 8.
- PTC NEWS
