In response to the recent student disturbances at Chitkara University in Rajpura, the Punjab Police arrested two individuals on Friday for allegedly inciting unrest by disseminating false information via social media.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Patiala, Harmandeep Singh Hans, confirmed that the arrested individuals, identified as Himanshu and Aryan, are alumni of the university.
Police investigations indicated that the duo incited unrest among the student body through various social media platforms, which contributed to the disturbances that began late on September 25 and continued into the following day.
During the protests, students reportedly vandalized two police vehicles and assaulted a police officer amid claims of mysterious voices emanating from the girls’ hostel, an event that preliminary investigations suggest may have been a student prank, alongside concerns regarding missing students.
According to the SSP, an FIR was filed on September 29, and inquiries have been actively pursued since the incident occurred. The police have also formed teams to locate ten additional individuals named in the FIR.
The charges against the two arrested include attempted murder, wrongful confinement, obstructing public servants, assaulting a public servant, unlawful restraint, criminal intimidation, disturbing public order, rioting, unlawful assembly, and conspiracy, as stated by a police spokesperson.
Following the unrest, investigators at the Banur police station initiated an extensive probe, monitoring social media activities and the spread of false narratives by students and others, according to police sources.
Initially, authorities only filed a daily diary report without pursuing action against the students, opting instead for counseling due to their age.
Ongoing investigations aim to identify more individuals involved in propagating misinformation, inciting students, vandalizing property, and hindering public servants from performing their duties, as well as understanding their specific roles in the unrest.
The chaos on campus was triggered by social media rumors regarding the disappearance of two girls from a supposedly “haunted” hostel. Reports suggested that strange noises were detected in the hostel via a speaker on September 23. On the night of September 25-26, thousands of students congregated on campus, resulting in damage to police vehicles and an assault on an officer named Ajay Kumar, with videos of the incident being shared online. Students alleged that Kumar appeared to be intoxicated when he arrived to manage the situation.
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