Phagwara, Kapurthala — A day after large-scale student protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) over claims of a sexual assault on campus, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav visited the private varsity on Monday and said officers had used restraint while making it clear that those who indulged in vandalism would be dealt with legally.
Police act as facilitator, not antagonist
Yadav told reporters that police prioritised dialogue to defuse tensions and to address grievances that students levelled against the university administration. He said the force had consciously decided to use minimum force during the unrest and to act as a bridge between the students and the varsity authorities.
"Our officers took a view that we will use minimum force. A very conscious decision was taken not to use force against students,"
The DGP, who inspected the campus at the request of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, said attempts were made to resolve administrative complaints — including a reported demand for female-only staff at girls' hostels — through meetings between police, students and university representatives.
Legal and investigative steps
Yadav confirmed that an FIR has been registered in connection with the alleged incident and that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter thoroughly. He warned that elements who tried to disturb the peace and those responsible for vandalising property would be identified and prosecuted.
- FIR registered in relation to the alleged sexual assault, according to the DGP.
- Special Investigation Team formed to conduct a detailed probe.
- Police engaged in multiple rounds of talks with students and university officials to address grievances.
Yadav described elements that turned the protest violent as "unfortunate", saying stones were pelted at police vehicles and some parts of the campus infrastructure were damaged. He stressed that while students were treated with consideration — "students are like our children" — those who breached the law would not be spared.
Context and campus concerns
The unrest reportedly began after rumours circulated late at night about certain incidents on campus, prompting a large number of students to assemble. The protests, which drew comparisons to recent student agitations in the national capital, included demands related to hostel staffing and administrative action on campus safety.
Senior police officers, including DIG Jalandhar Range Navin Singla and the SSP of Kapurthala, were deployed to stabilise the situation and facilitate negotiations, the DGP said. According to available accounts, meetings were held on Sunday and a follow-up session was planned for Monday to continue addressing the students' concerns.
What officials have done so far
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| On-ground visit | DGP Gaurav Yadav visited LPU to assess the situation at the request of the Chief Minister. |
| Dialogue | Police held talks with students and university administration to address grievances. |
| Investigation | FIR lodged and an SIT constituted to probe the alleged sexual assault and related incidents. |
Yadav also noted that police had attempted to sort out administrative complaints, including the demand for all-female staff at girls' hostels and other matters raised by the students.
Local reaction and potential implications
Authorities’ approach to the LPU unrest — emphasising restraint and mediation — seeks to balance law-and-order responsibilities with sensitivity to student concerns. In a state where campus safety and students' grievances can rapidly galvanise large numbers, the police strategy of prioritising talks while signalling that criminality will be punished is intended to restore normalcy without escalating conflict.
The formation of an SIT and registration of an FIR indicate that the matter will be pursued through criminal investigation, even as administrative issues are addressed through discussion. The DGP’s statement that "no one will be allowed to take law into their own hands" underscores a commitment to both investigation and public order.
Further developments are likely as the SIT conducts inquiries and as follow-up meetings take place between student representatives and university management. The police have said strict action will be taken against those identified as responsible for the violence or vandalism, irrespective of their position.
This report is based on statements made by Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav during his visit to LPU and on official actions announced in the aftermath of the protests.
