Traffic movement on the National Highway-44 in Punjab's Phagwara was restored after students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) blocked the highway for over 15 hours amid protests over an alleged rape of a female student, police said on Monday.
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh said the highway was reopened in the intervening night of Sunday and Monday and the situation was now under control. Security personnel continued to remain deployed outside the university on Monday morning.
The protests erupted on Sunday after students alleged that an outsider had raped a female student on the LPU campus.
Police have registered a rape case against an unidentified person based on a complaint by the students and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. The university, however, described claims that the incident occurred on its campus as "rumours".
The protest turned violent on Sunday evening when students allegedly clashed with police and pelted stones at personnel and their vehicles, injuring several policemen. Police had attempted to clear the protesters who had blocked NH-44 since 8 am.
After the students retreated into the campus following a police lathi charge, they allegedly continued pelting stones at police, officials said.
A heavy police contingent led by ADGP M F Farooqui entered the campus late Sunday night, following which senior officers and personnel conducted a flag march. Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh, DIG (Jalandhar Range) Naveen Singla and Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora were among those present.
LPU suspended classes for 10 days from Monday and postponed midterm examinations until further notice. Students have been allowed to return home after consulting their parents or guardians. Those staying on campus have been advised to remain inside their hostels or places of residence and avoid unnecessary movement.
The LPU unrest came a day after students at Chitkara University in Patiala allegedly set a police vehicle on fire over unverified claims that two female students had died by suicide on the university premises.
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters allegedly damaging campus property, including window panes and flower pots, and setting some objects on fire while raising slogans demanding justice.
(With inputs from PTI)
