LPU Protests: MP John Brittas urges Punjab CM to ensure students’ safety, initiate probe into campus violence

Hours after violent protests engulfed the Lovely Professional University (LPU) campus, John Brittas, a Member of Parliament (MP), urged the chief minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann to ensure security for students, and establish a senior-level mechanism to address the issue.

The Rajya Sabha MP has written to CM Mann, demanding safe travel for students from Keralam, and ensuring safety of those residing inside the hostel.

The university has suspended its regular classes for 10 days and postponed its mid-term examinations in the aftermath of the violent protests, triggered by allegations and rumours surrounding the Kolkata SRFTI Clash.

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'There should be no arbitrary detention of students'

“Students must not be subjected to arbitrary detention, intimidation, harassment or unlawful targeting merely for raising concerns or participating in protests. Those responsible for violence must be dealt with strictly in accordance with law, without treating the entire student community as culpable. I have written to the Punjab Chief Minister @BhagwantMann to ensure comprehensive security for students, facilitate the safe return of those wishing to go home - including students from Keralam - and establish a senior-level mechanism to address their concerns,” the Rajya Sabha MP wrote in the letter to CM.

Following the violence on the LPU campus, the administration has asked students to travel back to their hometown during the 10-day period and also directed those students who wish to remain on campus to not leave their hostels and avoid unnecessary movement.

Brittas further said in the letter that the first and foremost responsibility of the State authorities and the University administration is to ensure the absolute safety and security of every student.

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Avoid unnecessary travel inside campus: LPU admin to students

Students, who are presently confined to hostels in an atmosphere of fear, must be provided effective protection, secure access to essential services and a reliable channel through which they can seek immediate assistance. Their parents must also be kept adequately informed about the safety and welfare of their children, he added.

He also asked the Punjab government to initiate a probe and identify the persons actually responsible for offences on the basis of credible evidence.

“There must be no arbitrary detention, intimidation, harassment, collective punishment or unlawful targeting of students merely on the basis of their presence at the protest or their expression of legitimate grievances,” he added.

The fundamental rights and dignity of students must remain fully protected even while the authorities take firm action against specific acts of violence, he said.