Police Exercised Maximum Restraint, Made Sustained Efforts To Facilitate Dialogue Between Students & University Authorities: DGP Gaurav Yadav
Students Are Our Children; Their Safety & Security Remains Our Top Priority: DGP Gaurav Yadav
Police Facilitated Dialogue Between Students & University Authorities; Clear Directions Issued To Use No Force Against Students: DGP Gaurav Yadav
DGP Gaurav Yadav Urges Public To Refrain From Circulating Unverified Videos, Audio Clips And Misleading Content; Appeals People To Share Only Verified Information
Senior Police Officers Engage With Students Across Punjab To Strengthen Confidence & Safety
CHANDIGARH/PHAGWARA, September 28:
Punjab Police is conducting a comprehensive scientific and technical investigation into the incidents of violence involving unidentified miscreants outside Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, while simultaneously making sustained efforts to facilitate dialogue between students and the university authorities for an amicable resolution of their concerns, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Monday.
In a proactive confidence-building initiative, senior Punjab Police officers and district police officials have been engaging directly with students at universities and educational institutions across the state to strengthen their sense of safety and address their concerns. From Fazilka and Sangrur to Ferozepur, Rupnagar, Mohali and Ludhiana Rural, senior officers, including DIGs of police ranges and SSPs, have visited educational institutions and interacted with students, assuring them of all necessary support and reinforcing the Punjab Police commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for students across the state.
Visiting Phagwara to assess the situation, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the Punjab Police had made constructive efforts throughout Sunday to maintain peace and create an environment conducive to dialogue between the students and the university administration. He said clear directions had been issued to the police force to exercise maximum restraint and not use force against students. “The students are our children, and their safety and security is our top priority. We have made every possible effort to facilitate dialogue between the students and the university authorities so that the issues can be resolved through discussion,” said DGP Gaurav Yadav.
The DGP said the police had arranged multiple meetings between representatives of the students and the university administration throughout Sunday so that concerns relating to internal matters could be addressed through dialogue. He said the police remained committed to maintaining a peaceful environment and ensuring the safety of students, residents and all other stakeholders.
On the incidents of violence reported on Sunday night, DGP Gaurav Yadav said the police were examining all available video footage, CCTV recordings and other technical evidence to identify the persons responsible. “A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has already been constituted to conduct a detailed investigation. Whosoever is found responsible after due investigation will face action as per law,” he said.
The DGP appealed to the public to refrain from circulating unverified videos, audio clips or other misleading material on social media. He urged people to rely only on information issued through official and verified sources and said appropriate legal action would be taken against anyone found deliberately spreading unfounded or misleading material.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said the situation in and around the university was completely under control and adequate police arrangements had been put in place to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.
He said that immediately after receiving information about the incident during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla and SSP Kapurthala Gaurav Toora, along with adequate police personnel, reached the spot and took prompt measures to bring the situation under control. “The police are closely monitoring the situation and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure peace, security and public order in the area,” said DGP Gaurav Yadav.
During a media interaction, DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla, On Student-University Meeting, stated: “The meeting was held in a very positive and cordial atmosphere, with representatives of the civil administration, police, university authorities and seven representatives of the student committee participating in the discussions.”
He said the students raised issues relating to logistics, hostel facilities and better coordination, particularly ensuring that information reaches students in a timely manner. He said it was decided that regular meetings would be held and work would be undertaken on the issues raised by the students. “The university has assured that the demands relating to logistical issues will be implemented soon. The meeting was held in a very positive atmosphere and the concerns raised by the students are being addressed,” he said.
On the investigation into the incident, the DIG Jalandhar Range said the FIR had already been registered and the investigation was underway. He said the five-member student committee constituted by the university would remain associated with the SIT and that the students would be apprised of the progress of the investigation from time to time.
Highlighting the police response during the situation, the DIG Jalandhar Range said the force had exercised considerable restraint and that no lathi-charge had been carried out against the students. “The students are like our children. We conducted multiple rounds of negotiations throughout the day and also advised the students not to take the law and order situation into their own hands. The police personnel conducted themselves with restraint and dealt with the students with care and sensitivity,” he said.
