A 21-year-old Assamese student of PGDAV College here was attacked by another student inside the college campus on Tuesday.
The victim, Pran Saikia, who hails from Guwahati, said his “only mistake was to ask his attacker to maintain queue discipline at the canteen”.
Pran is doing his third year B.A. (Honours) programme in History while the accused Sonu, two years his junior, is enrolled in a Sanskrit course.
Talking to The Hindu , Pran said he was waiting after placing his order in the canteen when Sonu tried to jump the queue by pushing him.
“I fell on a crate of glass bottles. I tried telling him that it was wrong to jump the queue and this made him furious. He said ‘I will show you the right way’ and then boxed me on my face followed by a flurry of punches and even kicks,” said Pran.
The victim added that he sustained injuries on his face and neck and even had a temporary hearing loss as a result of the assault which lasted for five minutes. He alleged that despite the spot being a crowded one, no one came forward to help. Pran himself had to make a call to the Police Control Room.
Asked if he was also subjected to any racial slur, Pran said due to Sonu’s accent he was unable to comprehend what was said.
“ I reported the matter to the college authorities and the principal ordered that the main gate be closed to prevent Sonu from escaping. He, however, scaled the wall and escaped,” said Pran.
A team from the Lajpat Nagar police station reached the spot and took Pran to Safdarjung Hospital where he is recuperating.
The college authorities suspended Sonu and the police have booked the accused for assault.
