Manipuri youths attacked in Munirka

Racist remarks allegedly made by a group of boys sparked off a scuffle

In another alleged racist attack on Northeastern residents, two Manipuri young men were brutally beaten up, one of them even attacked with scissors, by a group of people in South Delhi’s Munirka on Saturday.

Three accused, two of them minors, have been held.

The incident took place around 9-30 p.m. when two Manipuri men Lunminlal Haokip (21) and Latmainlen were sitting at Babulal Chowk. Timothy, a representative of the Kuki Students’ Organisation who was with the victims at the time of the incident, told

The Hindu that they both were discussing a college project when a group of four boys standing close by passed racist remarks.

“Initially they ignored their comments but when the boys did not stop, the two Manipuri men told them to leave the place. This led to an argument between them which turned into a scuffle,” said Timothy

A senior police officer, however, told The Hindu that the argument was between the victims and the two minor boys. “It started when one of the two Manipuri men accused the minors of staring at them. This, he said, led to a fight between the two sides and all the four sustained injuries,” he said.

It is alleged that one of the minors then called his elder brother, identified as Rajesh, and the group attacked Lunminlal and Latmainlen. Lunminlal was also attacked with scissors and sustained wounds on his stomach, back and neck. Both the victims were also hit with bricks lying at a construction site close by. When the locals started gathering, the three attackers fled from the spot.

One of the eye-witnesses then informed the police but before the PCR van could reach the spot, the locals had rushed the injured duo to a private hospital, said Timothy.

He also alleged that staff from the police station concerned reached the hospital an hour after the victims had been admitted.

The hospital referred them to Safdarjung Hospital from where they were discharged after treatment. A case under Section 323 (causing hurt) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Vasant Vihar police station.

Based on the information given by the victims, the identities of the accused were established. The two minors and an adult accused were held.

Lunminlal Haokip is pursuing a B.A. course from Annamalai University while Latmainlen is a student of Shyamlal College.