LPU students block NH-44 in Phagwara, clash with police over alleged rape

Lovely Professional University (LPU) students staged a road blockade on the national highway NH-44 near Phagwara, Punjab, demanding action after a female student claimed she was raped on campus. The protest began in the early afternoon and quickly attracted a large crowd of students and supporters, who placed barricades and turned away passing vehicles.
Police units arrived to disperse the demonstrators, leading to a heated confrontation. Several officers used batons while some protesters threw stones, resulting in minor injuries on both sides and a handful of arrests, according to local officials.
University authorities confirmed the allegation and said an internal inquiry has been launched in coordination with the police. The campus administration appealed for calm and promised to cooperate fully with the investigation, while the police said they are probing the rape claim and will take appropriate legal action.
The incident has drawn attention to safety concerns on Indian campuses and prompted calls from student groups across the state for stricter security measures.
No further details on the victim's identity or the alleged perpetrator have been released pending the investigation.