Mangaluru, Aug 24: In a shocking incident, a few dozens of activists swearing allegiance to a saffron outfit assaulted a Muslim youth in broad daylight in the heart of the city on Monday, for accompanying a woman belonging to Hindu community.
The victim has been identified as Shakir, aged 28, resident of Kulur town in Mangaluru taluk. He has been admitted to a hospital.
The victim is a manager at a supermarket in Attavar and the woman works in the same super market as a salesgirl.
The group thrashed the youth severely and even tied him to an electric pole. He was also stripped of his clothes and was beaten black and blue. The miscreants also captured his naked pictures and circulated on WhatsApp.
The incident is said to have occurred around 5.30 p.m. near the supermarket. According to Shakir, when he was going home in his car, the girl called him and sked for a loan of Rs. 2,000.
They were on their way to an ATM so that he could withdraw cash when a gang of men armed with knives and staves accosted them, the Shakir said.
The woman escaped without much harm but she too was slapped for trying to come to her colleague's defence.
The miscreants also snatched belongings of Shakir and also damaged his car.
Policemen reached the spot after local cable television channels began beaming visuals of the man. Mangaluru South Police Inspector Dinakar Shetty said that the group comprised youth from Hindu outfits.
Cases of assault and attempt to murder have been registered against unknown persons, while unconfirmed reports said four youth have been taken into custody by the police.
Several brazen attacks involving groups such as the Bajrang Dal, Sri Rama Sene and Hindu Jagarana Vedike a have been reported in the coastal towns of Mangalore, Udupi, Honnavar, Bhatkal and Karwar over the past decade.
Civil society activists blamed the BJP government that was in power in Karnataka from 2008 to 2013 for encouraging Hindutva groups to commit such crimes. However, statistics show the attacks did not reduce even after the Congress came to power.
Also Read:
Mangaluru: A dozen Sangh Parivar activists held for attack on Muslim youth
Saraswati Ghosh, Pramila Nesargi slam attack on Muslim youth in Mangaluru
Comments
Add new comment