Ashish Puri | Kapurthala | October 11
Punjab Police have reportedly identified a first-year female student from Haryana’s Kaithal district in connection with a Reddit post that triggered protests and violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara.
According to media reports, police traced the post through technical information obtained during the investigation and questioned the student about the claims circulated online. Police sources reportedly said the post was based on information she had heard from others.
Controversy Erupted on September 26
The controversy intensified on September 26 after claims concerning an alleged incident involving a female student began circulating on social media. The posts triggered student protests, which later escalated into violence, vandalism and arson on the university campus.
University property was reportedly damaged, buildings were set on fire and several police vehicles were vandalised during the unrest.
17 Students Arrested in Violence Case
According to reports published on October 8, police had arrested 17 students in connection with alleged vandalism and arson. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the violence and the spread of the online claims.
The investigation into the original allegations is separate from the inquiry into the Reddit post. Tracing the source of a post does not, by itself, establish whether the underlying allegation was true or false.
Investigation Continues
The case has raised concerns about the circulation of unverified information on social media and its potential consequences.
On the other hand when contacted with senior superintendent of police Kapurthala Ips Gaurav Toora stated that the person who spread the rumour on reddit post has been identified by the police and the matter is still under investigation.
As per police sources the person who spread the rumours through reddit post has been arrested by the Kapurthala police but due to the hearing of petition in honourable high court on Monday morning it hasn’t been disclosed till.