Phagwara, Punjab – The Uni Mall at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab's Phagwara was the scene of extensive vandalism and looting following violent protests. Shopkeepers estimate losses exceeding ₹90 lakh, with a wide array of high-value items, including Sony PlayStation 5 consoles, Apple iPhones, and luxury Prada and Armani perfumes, reportedly stolen.
The unrest, which saw videos circulating of individuals carrying off electronics, also resulted in significant cash thefts and damage to store infrastructure. While electronics and luxury goods stores were ransacked, curiously, bookstores and stationery shops within the mall were largely untouched.
Extensive Losses Reported by Shopkeepers
A manager at one departmental store detailed losses of approximately ₹80-90 lakh. This included about ₹6-7 lakh in cash taken from the counter and inventory valued at ₹70-80 lakh. The stolen goods comprised various electronic accessories, laptops, smartphones, and expensive perfumes, some priced between ₹15,000 and ₹17,000.
Mobile phone retailers also faced substantial blows. One shopkeeper reported losses exceeding ₹50 lakh, including new devices, second-hand phones, and even customer phones left for repair. Approximately ₹2 lakh in cash was also stolen from this outlet, and a repair microscope worth ₹70,000 was damaged.
Surveillance Equipment Targeted
Beyond merchandise, the looters also targeted vital store equipment. Laptops, servers, and digital video recorders were among the items taken. In a concerning incident, a 512GB memory card from a security camera was removed, raising questions about the perpetrators' knowledge of surveillance data storage.
Context of the Protests and Ongoing Investigation
The widespread looting occurred amidst violent protests that erupted following allegations of sexual assault involving a female student. LPU has publicly denied these allegations, labeling them as false and fabricated. Local police have registered a case and established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incidents.
The university has initiated its own review of CCTV footage, with reports indicating that 30-40 students are currently under scrutiny for their alleged involvement in the violence. However, it has not been independently confirmed that all individuals involved in the looting were LPU students.