3 Northeast Students Attacked in Delhi; No Arrests Made Yet

By Bruce K. Thangkhal

New Delhi, August 19, 2013 – Three Northeast students from Delhi University were allegedly attacked by a group of locals in North Delhi’s Patel Chest area on Saturday night. One of the victims, identified as Lam, sustained serious head injuries after being hit with a cricket bat and was rushed to Hindu Rao Hospital for treatment. The others, Gigin and Len, escaped with minor injuries. No arrests have been made so far.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. at House No. A-38, Christian Colony, where the victims were staying in rented rooms. According to the students, a group of around 10 men armed with iron rods, cricket bats, and baseball bats forcibly entered Gigin’s room and launched an unprovoked attack while the trio were watching a movie. The alleged ringleader of the assault was none other than their house caretaker, who also resides in the same building.

Recounting the events, Gigin said, “Our caretaker entered my room without permission on August 14, and we had a verbal exchange. On Saturday, he returned, looked into my room, and left without speaking. Moments later, he came back with around 10 men, all carrying weapons. They stormed into my room, beat us with iron rods, bats, and even hit me with a gas cylinder. They locked the door from inside. We somehow managed to escape, but they chased and continued attacking us outside the building.”

Gigin further alleged that the caretaker approached the police first and falsely claimed that he had been attacked by the students. Meanwhile, the group continued to assault the victims on the main road.

Lam, a PhD scholar from the Department of Anthropology at Delhi University and a former president of the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), said, “While I was working on my thesis, I heard commotion. I went out to mediate but was immediately attacked. I believe I was targeted due to my Northeast identity.”

KSO leaders visited the victims at the hospital and police station but were unable to meet the Station House Officer (SHO). A case was eventually registered at Maurice Nagar Police Station under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 34 (common intention).

However, concerns have been raised about the handling of the case. According to KSO Delhi President Thangminlen Kipgen, “The police refused to register the FIR in Gigin’s name, even though he was attacked inside his own room. They only recorded the case in Lam’s name and took Gigin’s statement verbally without documenting it. We waited the entire night just to receive a copy of the FIR. This reflects a clear bias against Northeast people.”

The KSO has demanded that appropriate legal action be taken against all the attackers and that Delhi Police ensure fair treatment of Northeast citizens residing in the city.

EASTERN CHRONICLE | THE MIZORAM POST | MANIPUR CHRONICLE

Share: