2 Kashmiri students assaulted in Palwal

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Palwal, April 12

The police have registered a case against unidentified persons in connection with the alleged assault on two Kashmiri students of a local private engineering college recently. No arrest has been made.

The victims — identified as Tahir Maqbool (24) and Basir Ahmed (22) — had lodged a complaint with the police on Sunday, alleging that a group of unidentified persons assaulted them in the market of New Colony on April 7.

They told the police that they were asked to chant “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and, when they asked the reason for it, they were assaulted.

They are living in a rented accommodation in the colony.

The police said the reason behind the assault could be a cricket match involving India in the recently concluded T-20 World Cup.

The accused could be members of a right-wing organisation who were perhaps offended with the behaviour of the students regarding the result of the cricket match, said a local resident on the condition of anonymity.

“The police have booked a case under Sections 323, 506 and 34 of the IPC against unidentified persons,” said Satish Kumar, SHO, camp police station.

He said the reason behind the assault was still to be ascertained.

The police complaint was lodged after the intervention of a DSP-level officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, whom the students contacted after the alleged assault.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ashok Kumar Sharma admitted that Kashmiri students were assaulted. He, however, said it was a minor issue and there was nothing to worry about the safety of students from other states.

The DC asked the police to submit a detailed report in the matter.