The Punjab State Women Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of recent protests and safety concerns at Lovely Professional University (LPU) and Chitkara University. The commission has sought detailed reports from the concerned district administrations and police authorities.
Commission chairperson Raj Lali Gill said the panel has asked for copies of FIRs and detailed information about the safety and security arrangements for students at both universities. She said the safety and dignity of women students are the commission’s main concern. At LPU in Phagwara, protests turned violent after unverified reports circulated about the alleged rape of a female student on campus. Students damaged property and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway. Police said an FIR has been registered and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the matter.
The commission has asked the Kapurthala authorities to provide the FIR, details of the SIT members and the current status of the investigation. It has also sought information about CCTV cameras, security personnel, hostel entry and exit monitoring, and complaints related to the safety of female students.
At Chitkara University in Rajpura, protests broke out after unverified claims circulated about female students allegedly being missing or having died by suicide. The commission has asked the Patiala authorities to verify whether any such complaint was received and, if so, provide details of the action taken. The commission has also asked both universities to submit details of measures taken to address students’ safety concerns. The authorities have been directed to submit their reports by September 30. Police have separately urged people not to rely on unverified rumours while investigations into the incidents continue.
