Two Dalit youths were assaulted allegedly by a group of around 60 people at Karaya village in Belthangady taluk on Saturday evening.
According to eyewitnesses, at around 7 p.m., the men, belonging to various local Muslim organisations, stopped the bus going towards Belthangady and forced Vasantha (24) and Prashant (18), both residents of Kukke Subramanya, out of the bus and assaulted them. Though unaware of the exact reason for the attack, family members of the victims told The Hindu : “The boys got into a minor argument over the seating on the bus with a Muslim girl. The girl told them to go to the back of the bus, when they refused, an argument ensued,” said Eshwari, the victims’ cousin.
During the assault, the mob allegedly made casteist remarks against the victims and robbed them of gold chain and cash.
The victims have lodged a complaint with the Belthangady police.
