LPU protest: Traffic on NH-44 restored, situation under control, say police

The campus of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, has returned to a semblance of normalcy after three days of intense student demonstrations that brought a major stretch of National Highway‑44 to a standstill. Police officials confirmed on Friday that traffic on the arterial road, which links the northern and southern regions of India, has been fully restored and that the situation on the university grounds is now under control. The restoration of flow on NH‑44, a vital commercial corridor, follows coordinated efforts by state police, university security personnel and local authorities who were deployed to disperse the crowd and clear the blockade.The protests began on Monday, September 28, when a sizeable contingent of LPU students gathered outside the university’s main gate, demanding the immediate reinstatement of classes that had been suspended earlier in the week..

The administration, citing concerns over campus safety and ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in the examination process, announced a ten‑day suspension of academic activities. The decision was met with widespread discontent among the student body, who argued that the closure jeopardised their academic progress and threatened the timely completion of the semester.In response to the suspension, students erected barricades along the highway, obstructing vehicular movement and prompting commuters to seek alternative routes that added hours to their journeys. Local businesses reported a sharp decline in trade as deliveries were delayed and customers avoided the area..

The disruption also impacted long‑distance freight carriers, with several logistics firms filing complaints to the Punjab Police about the economic losses incurred during the blockade. By the second day, the protest had attracted media attention, with live coverage amplifying the pressure on university officials to engage with the demonstrators.University authorities attempted to negotiate with student representatives through a series of meetings held on campus. According to a statement released by LPU’s Vice‑Chancellor, the administration was “deeply concerned about the welfare of our students and is committed to finding an amicable resolution.” However, the talks were repeatedly stalled by demands that the university not only lift the suspension but also expedite the pending midterm examinations, which had been postponed indefinitely..

The students’ demands were framed as a call for transparency in the evaluation process, with many accusing the university of favouritism and procedural lapses.Police presence on the campus escalated after the third day of unrest, with additional units from the Punjab Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) arriving to assist in crowd control. Officers employed non‑lethal methods, including water cannons and tear‑gas shells, to disperse clusters of demonstrators who had refused to vacate the highway. Over the course of the operation, twenty‑four individuals were detained for violating public order, though all were released on bail pending further inquiry..

No serious injuries were reported, and police officials emphasized that the use of force was a last resort aimed at preventing a prolonged shutdown of a national transportation artery.The restoration of traffic was achieved after a coordinated clearance operation that saw the removal of makeshift barricades and the reopening of the highway’s lanes. Traffic police directed vehicles through a phased re‑entry plan, allowing commuters to resume their journeys with minimal further disruption. Local transport unions, which had initially threatened to halt services in solidarity with the students, withdrew their protests following assurances from the university that an independent committee would review the examination grievances..

The committee, composed of senior faculty members and external academic experts, is slated to submit its findings within two weeks.In the aftermath of the protest, LPU announced that classes would resume on Wednesday, October 2, with a revised academic calendar that accommodates the lost instructional days. The university also declared that the postponed midterm examinations would be scheduled at the earliest possible date, subject to the completion of the internal review. A spokesperson for the university’s student council welcomed the decision, stating that the administration had finally “listened to the concerns of the student community.” However, the council also cautioned that continued vigilance would be necessary to ensure that promised reforms are implemented transparently.The incident has reignited a broader debate about student activism and institutional accountability in India’s higher‑education sector..

Analysts note that while peaceful protests are a legitimate form of expression, the obstruction of critical infrastructure such as NH‑44 about the balance between civic dissent and public welfare. The Punjab State Government has pledged to conduct an independent audit of the university’s examination procedures, signalling a willingness to address systemic issues that may have contributed to the unrest. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has urged other academic institutions to develop robust grievance‑redressal mechanisms to prevent similar escalations.Local residents, who endured three days of traffic snarls and heightened security presence, expressed relief at the return of normal traffic flow..

“We were worried about getting to work and about the safety of our children who travel on that road every day,” said Meena Kaur, a shopkeeper from a nearby market. “It is good that the police acted quickly, but I hope the university learns from this and avoids such disruptions in the future.” Business owners also reported a gradual resurgence in customer footfall as commuters resumed their usual routes, though some warned that the economic impact of the protest could linger for weeks.As the campus settles back into routine, the focus now shifts to the upcoming examinations and the promised inquiry into the university’s administrative practices. Stakeholders across the education spectrum are watching closely, aware that the outcomes may set precedents for how student grievances are managed in the country’s rapidly expanding private‑college landscape..

The police, while satisfied with the restoration of order, have reiterated that any recurrence of such large‑scale disruptions will be met with swift and decisive action, underscoring the authorities’ commitment to maintaining public order while respecting democratic expressions of dissent..