Fresh updates are emerging from the LPU campus as the student protest escalates and turns violent. A blast is also reported outside Block 29 of the university.
The protest at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar turned violent on Sunday night following claims of rape involving a female student. Tensions escalated after nearly 16 hours of a blockade on the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, with protesters clashing with police, stone-pelting and several vehicles being set on fire.
Videos from inside the campus show what appear to be huge blasts outside Block 29.
A fire was reported outside LPU’s Block 29, prompting the deployment of a large police force around the university campus. Additional police personnel were also brought in from nearby areas as authorities attempted to regain control of the situation.
Videos circulating from inside the LPU campus appear to show large blasts and flashes outside Block 29, with thick smoke visible in the area. The footage has not been independently verified, and the cause or nature of the reported blasts could not immediately be confirmed.
Police teams reached the spot to disperse the protesting students. A lathi charge was carried out, following which protesters allegedly began pelting stones at the police.
As the situation escalated, police vehicles were reportedly set on fire. Police later brought tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd.
At around 9:25 pm, protesters again moved from outside the LPU gate towards the flyover, forcing police personnel to retreat. Police subsequently fired two tear-gas shells as students continued moving towards the flyover.
According to reports from the spot, protesters allegedly used petrol bombs to target police vehicles. Several vehicles were seen on fire, with explosions and thick smoke reported from the area.
