Key accused in Burundi student attack case surrenders

Romi Uppal, son of a senior police officer and key accused in the case of attack on Burundi student Yannick Nihangaza, on Saturday surrendered before police.

Jalandhar DCP Sarabjit Singh said that with Romi’s surrender and arrest, the total number of persons held so far in the attack on Nihangaza, who slipped into a coma after the assault, has gone up to three.

Earlier, two accused, Sahil Deep Singh and Summit were arrested by the Jalandhar police and a charge sheet was filed against them. However, another accused in the case, Amandeep Singh, was still at large.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday issued orders to the Chief Secretary and the police department to take swift action against those who attacked the student two months ago.

A medical board constituted by the Director of Health Services recommended Yannick to be shifted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh for further treatment.

The medical board comprising four doctors of the Government Rajindra Hospital, headed by Patiala Civil Surgeon, examined 23-year-old Nihangaza on Saturday and recommended his shifting to a tertiary-care hospital like the PGI for better medical care.

“The board is of the opinion that since the patient is haemodynamically stable, he can be shifted to a tertiary care institute for better medical care and in the larger interest of the patient,” the board’s report said.

The Burundi student of a private university was attacked by some persons when he was going to a party in Jalandhar on April 22 last. He was stoned and severely thrashed and left on the roadside.

Father’s appeal

Nestor Ntibateganya, father of the youth had written two letters in the last five days asking the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter.

The father also appealed to the government to help fly Yannick back to Burundi and pay for his medical expenses for the rest of his life.

The Punjab government announced an assistance of Rs.5 lakh for him and promised stern action against all those involved in the incident.

The government dismissed suggestions that it could be a racial attack.

An official spokesman told PTI on Saturday that the State government would bear all the medical expenses incurred on Nihangaza.

A cheque for Rs. 5 lakh sanctioned by the Chief Minister would be delivered directly to the hospital authorities on Sunday by Deputy Commissioner G.K. Singh, after settling the account with them.

Meanwhile, Yannick’s father said here that he wanted to consult his family back in Burnudi to shift his son from here.