The unrest erupted after a message on Reddit claimed a student had been raped and subsequently committed suicide, yet no police complaint had been lodged before the students gathered near Girls’ Hostel‑3 around 1 a.m. Sunday. The campus was closed for ten days, and classes were suspended as anxious parents arrived with suitcases to escort their children home.
Vandalism escalated quickly: windows were shattered, iron rods were used to strike other students, and several vehicles were set ablaze. The protestors blocked National Highway‑44 for more than 15 hours, halting traffic between Jalandhar and Phagwara until Monday’s early‑morning restoration.
A force led by Additional Director General M F Farooqui entered the campus at night, and Senior Police officers conducted a flag march. DGP Gaurav Yadav emphasized that officers exercised restraint because the majority of protestors were students, and he ordered a review of CCTV footage to identify participants.
Parents spoke to reporters, describing a scene of terror and frustration. One mother said, “We just wanted our daughter’s safety, not chaos.” A student echoed a similar sentiment: “We needed justice, not violence.” The campus administration reiterated that the allegations were unverified and urged calm.
Police have registered an FIR and established a Special Investigation Team to examine the incident. The team will compile evidence and file a report by the end of the month, after which the case will be presented to the district court for further action.