Two students arrested over role in LPU violence

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU/DODA, Oct 2: Separate teams of Punjab Police today carried out raids in Doda and Pouni Chak area of Jammu district, and arrested two youth for their alleged involvement in violent protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab.

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Officials said Antriksh Dutta of Rajouri, currently residing at Ajeet Colony area of Pouni Chak in Jammu district, and Sahil Singh of Koti area in Doda district, both students of the LPU, were arrested by Punjab Police with the assistance of Jammu and Kashmir Police during early morning raids today.

Meanwhile, efforts were underway to arrest another student of the university, Farhat Dev from Kishtwar, who remained at large.

Reports said police had specific inputs that Farhat had fled Phagwara and was hiding at his relative's place in Doda. However, before the police team could reach, he managed to escape, reports said.

As per reports, the action comes after multiple videos emerged purportedly showing Farhat, Sahil and Antriksh actively involved in violence at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara during the protests on September 27-28. However, one of them, Farhat has denied his involvement in the violent protests.

So far, nine people have been arrested over the violence and vandalism, according to the Punjab Police. Seven of those arrested are university students, including a juvenile, while two are outsiders.

Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla told media persons that the arrests were based on CCTV footage, campus images and other digital evidence.

According to him, police have named 20 people in FIR number 163 and said investigators have identified 40 people linked to the unrest.