Violent protests erupt at Lovely Professional University over campus sexual assault

Lovely Professional University in Punjab has been rocked by violent protests following a sexual assault incident involving a female student. The unrest began late on September 26 near the girls' hostel and escalated on September 27 when protesters damaged property, pelted stones at police and set vehicles on fire. Four to five police vehicles were damaged and at least two were set ablaze, with several police personnel injured in the clashes.

Students blocked National Highway-44 outside the university around 4 am on September 27, disrupting traffic significantly. Police deployed a lathi charge to clear the blockade after some protesters threw water bottles at officers. The university suspended classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed midterm examinations indefinitely in response to the unrest.

LPU, established in 2005 under the Punjab State Legislature's Lovely Professional University Act, has been thrust into the spotlight due to the incident and the violent student response to the alleged sexual assault.