चितकारा विद्यापीठात 'दोन विद्यार्थिनी गायब' असल्याच्या अफवेवरून...
पंजाबमधील राजपुरा येथील चितकारा विद्यापीठात दोन विद्यार्थिनी बेपत्ता असल्याच्या सोशल मीडियावरील अफवांनंतर शुक्रवारी रात्री विद्यार्थ्यांचे आंदोलन हिंसक...
By GT24x7 Reporter··GlobalToday24x7
A massive late-night protest erupted at the Chitkara University campus near Rajpura in Punjab's Patiala district on Friday night following unverified rumors circulating on social media regarding two allegedly missing female students. The agitation escalated into clashes with law enforcement personnel, leading to the vandalism of police vehicles and damage to campus infrastructure before security forces stabilized the situation.
According to official statements issued by the Patiala Police and Chitkara University administration on Saturday, extensive verification drives conducted on campus yielded no evidence supporting the claims. Officials confirmed that no student had been reported missing, harmed, or unaccounted for by parents, hostel wardens, or fellow students.
Social Media Misinformation Triggers Campus Unrest
The commotion reportedly began when unverified posts and audio clips spread through student messaging groups on Friday evening. The viral claims suggested that two female hostellers had disappeared and alleged that screams were heard near the women's hostel premises. Other online posts falsely linked the narrative to paranormal rumors and an alleged hostel incident.
As panic spread, hundreds of students assembled in common campus areas late Friday night to demand answers from university officials. Despite immediate interventions by the university administration and local police teams to address the crowd, sections of the gathered crowd mounted aggressive demonstrations.
Escalation, Property Damage, and Law Enforcement Response
During the midnight protest, a portion of the crowd targeted public and university property. Windshields and windows of at least two Punjab Police vehicles deployed to the scene were smashed, and minor clashes were reported between protesters and police personnel attempting to disperse the crowd.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Banur) Sukhdev Singh stated that senior officers, including Station House Officers from Rajpura City and Rajpura Sadar, personally inspected the hostels and verified student attendance rosters alongside university administrators.
"We have taken cognizance of the concerns raised by the students. However, during verification, no one could provide the names, photographs, roll numbers, or any specific details of the alleged missing students," DSP Sukhdev Singh informed reporters. He emphasized that all students on campus were safe and urged parents not to fall prey to panic-inducing online rumors.
Debates Over Civic Responsibility and Legal Inquiries
The incident has renewed public discussions regarding the balance between the constitutional right to peaceful assembly under Article 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution and the legal obligation to prevent damage to public property under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. Civic observers note that while public agitation remains a protected democratic recourse, the destruction of public utility assets and emergency services vehicles presents significant legal and administrative challenges.
Chitkara University Registrar Col. Rakesh Sharma (Retd.) reiterated that normal academic, hostel, and placement activities remain completely operational and unaffected. Meanwhile, the Patiala police have initiated an inquiry to trace the digital origin of the fake rumors and identify individuals involved in acts of vandalism during the demonstration.