The police administration has intensified its crackdown following the recent incidents of violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU) located in Phagwara, Punjab. In a significant development, the police have so far arrested 9 individuals in connection with the unrest. Among those taken into custody, 7 are identified as students of the university, while 2 are outsiders. The investigation has led to the formal naming of 20 accused individuals in the case, and the police have stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects who are currently at large.
Identification Through CCTV and Social Media
The police investigation is heavily relying on technical evidence to identify the perpetrators of the violence. Authorities are meticulously scanning CCTV footage from the university campus and surrounding areas. Also, social media posts and viral videos that circulated during the incident are being scrutinized to pinpoint those who participated in the vandalism or played a role in inciting the crowd. The police have emphasized that no one involved in the breach of peace will be spared, and the digital footprint of the event is serving as a crucial lead in the ongoing probe.
The MiG-23UM Fighter Jet Incident
One of the most prominent incidents during the violence involved a person climbing onto the MiG-23UM fighter jet, which is installed outside the university campus as a mark of respect for the Indian Air Force. The police have successfully identified the individual responsible for this act after examining CCTV footage. The accused has been identified as a minor student of LPU. Following his identification, a police team tracked him to Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, where he was arrested, while the police revealed that the minor is a resident of Mandi, and his father serves as an official in the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in Mandi. This arrest highlights the extent of the police's reach in tracking down those involved in the incident across state lines.
Action Against Incitement at Chitkara University
The investigation into campus unrest isn't limited to LPU alone. The police are also taking strict action against those spreading rumors and inciting students at other educational institutions in Punjab, while in a related development, the Patiala police have taken action regarding the ruckus created by students at Chitkara University, located in Rajpura, Patiala. The incident at Chitkara University reportedly took place on the night of September 25-26, 2026. In this case, the police have arrested 2 individuals who are accused of using social media platforms to spread misleading rumors and provoke the student body. The authorities have warned that monitoring of social media is being conducted with high priority to prevent the further escalation of tension through misinformation.
Clarification Regarding the Alleged Victim
Amidst the chaos and various claims circulating on social media, a video of a female student, who was allegedly portrayed as a victim in the rumors, has surfaced. In the viral video, the student clarifies her situation by stating her roll number and confirming that she's completely safe. She explicitly mentioned that no untoward incident had occurred with her, while the student explained that she had become extremely frightened by the protests and the atmosphere of violence, which prompted her to leave the campus and go to her relatives' place for safety. Despite this clarification, the police and the university administration have maintained a cautious approach and have not officially released the identity of the alleged victim mentioned in the initial rumors. The investigation continues to separate facts from the various narratives that emerged during the period of unrest.