Police confirm NH-44 traffic resumes after LPU student protest

Police officials said on Saturday that traffic along National Highway 44, the main north‑south artery passing near Lovely Professional University (LPU), has returned to normal after a multi‑day blockage caused by a student protest. The statement, conveyed to reporters, indicated that the situation is now under control and that normal patrols have resumed.

According to The Hindu, LPU management announced a ten‑day suspension of classes beginning Monday, September 28, and postponed mid‑term examinations until further notice. The decision came as dozens of students gathered on campus to voice grievances, and many were later seen leaving the university grounds to return home.

Police described a coordinated effort that involved deploying traffic police, highway patrol units and local law‑enforcement teams to divert vehicles and clear stalled convoys. Temporary barricades were removed and alternate routes were opened to ease the flow of commuters. The force also issued a public advisory urging drivers to exercise caution while the area was being cleared.

LPU, one of the largest private universities in Punjab, has been a flashpoint for student unrest in recent years, often over issues such as fee structures, campus facilities and administrative policies. Protests at Indian campuses sometimes spill onto nearby highways, disrupting a route that stretches from Srinagar in the north to Kanyakumari in the south and carries millions of vehicles each day. Past incidents on NH‑44 have prompted swift police action because any prolonged closure can affect trade, travel and emergency services across several states.

The university’s decision to suspend academic activities aims to defuse tensions while authorities investigate the protest’s underlying causes. Students are expected to receive further communication regarding the resumption of classes and the new exam schedule. Police have pledged to monitor the campus closely in the coming weeks to prevent a recurrence that could again impact the busy highway corridor.