Patiala Police have arrested two men in connection with the recent student unrest at Chitkara University in Rajpura, alleging that they spread misleading messages on social media and provoked students during the incident.
The arrested men have been identified as Himanshu from Nangal and Aryan from Ambala, according to the police. Both have been accused of circulating misleading information through social media groups, which police say contributed to the escalation of tensions on the university campus.
The unrest took place on the intervening night of September 25 and 26, after unverified claims began circulating on social media about students allegedly missing or having died on campus. Police and university authorities later said that no students were missing or had died. The rumours were followed by protests, during which police vehicles were allegedly damaged and a police personnel was reportedly manhandled.
Following the incident, an FIR was registered at Banur police station on September 29, and police began examining social media activity and messages circulated during the unrest. Investigators said their probe led to the identification of the two arrested men.
Police have also named 10 other people in the FIR and teams have been sent to different locations to arrest them.
The investigation is continuing into the alleged circulation of misinformation, instigation of students, damage to public property and obstruction of public servants during the unrest. Police said they are also examining the individual roles of those involved.
SSP Patiala Harmandeep Hans said the Patiala Police remain committed to maintaining peace and public order.
The latest arrests come as authorities continue to investigate how unverified social media claims spread among students and contributed to the situation escalating on campus.