Violent protests at Punjab's Lovely Professional University triggered after a social media rumour. Speaking on the violent protest which triggered over a social media rumour about an alleged 'rape', the police said that there was no evidence related to these unverified claims and that the situation has been brought under control. The reports of a student's alleged rape went viral on social media groups which triggered the protests by the students who resorted to vandalism at the university campus around 2 AM. The students also set fire to a campus site within the university.The protesting students then reached outside the university gate, vandalized it, and then staged a sit-in protest on the Chandigarh-Amritsar National Highway near Jalandhar-Phagwara. As the situation escalated, Kapurthala Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora arrived at the scene and took stock of the situation. According to police, the protest began near the girls' hostel and was prompted by a message circulating on social media alleging that a student had been raped by an outsider. However, no such information has been found yet and further investigation into the alleged incident is taking place. Videos circulating on social media showed LPU students damaging window panes, flower pots and even putting some objects on fire. Toora said police received information that students gathered at the LPU campus at 1:45 am and blocked a road. Asked about the unverified claim of an alleged rape with a female student that was circulating on social media, Toora told reporters, "When we reached here, we came to know that there were rumours. Because of the rumours, students gathered here". "We spoke to students who had some issues with the LPU administration. We heard them and are trying to get them resolved. The situation is completely under control," the SSP said. An assessment of the property damage is being done and necessary legal action will be taken, Toora said. Replying to a question, the SSP said students have stated that their issues are not redressed properly. A heavy police force has been deployed at the university, with police stating that the situation is now under control. The incident came a day after students of Chitkara University in Patiala held a protest. Students had also damaged a police vehicle over unverified claims that two female students allegedly committed suicide on the campus. Issuing a statement on violent protest, LPU strongly refuted false and fabricated news and rumours. LPU registrar Dr Monica Gulati said,"It has come to the notice of the University that certain anti-social elements are spreading completely false, baseless and fabricated rumours through social media and other channels, thereby creating unnecessary confusion among students and attempting to disturb the peaceful academic environment of the University."