‘Punched, attacked with knife, belt’: 4 minors held day after Manipur woman, Assamese friend allege assault, racial abuse

Another police officer said, “When the woman from Manipur protested, the accused allegedly attacked her with a belt.”

In a statement to the police, the Manipur woman said, “While taking pictures, around six-seven boys started teasing us and hurled sexual slurs. We objected. Then they became aggressive and called us prostitutes… passed racist remarks.”

She further said that the group then physically assaulted her. “One of them punched me on my face and we tried to run away… They took a knife and tried to stab me. It’s an act of attempt to murder,” she said. She claimed that while trying to escape, she fell, after which one of the attackers hit her on the back of the head with an iron-studded belt. “A lot of blood started coming out of my right ear. We were begging them not to beat us anymore,” the statement added. She was taken to Safdarjung Hospital.

DCP Mittal said, “As soon as the police were informed, we swung into action. And late at night, one minor was detained. On Monday, the remaining three were apprehended. During questioning, the accused admitted their involvement in the incident. The police have also recovered the belt used in the attack from them.” Officers said that all the detained boys are aged between 15 and 16.

The incident drew widespread criticism

The woman’s sister, in a media statement, said the incident occurred on International Women’s Day and questioned the lack of intervention by witnesses. “Yesterday, it was kids who were behind it… tomorrow it will be adults. It’s something that has happened many times. Why is it happening to us so frequently? Are we not Indians? Why do they have so much hatred for us? Why do they talk about our appearance so much? It is unbearable at times,” she said.

Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh wrote on X: “Such acts of racism and violence are completely unacceptable and have no place in our society. People from the North East must feel safe, respected, and treated with dignity in every part of our country.”

He added, “I strongly condemn this incident and urge the authorities to ensure a swift investigation and strict action against those responsible.”

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma too demanded strict action against the accused in a post on X.

Sunday’s incident comes around two weeks after a couple had allegedly hurled racial abuses at three students from Arunachal Pradesh at their rented flat in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar. The Delhi Police had registered a case and later arrested the couple. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had also met these students and assured them justice. She had said that there was absolutely no place for hatred, discrimination, intimidation or racial abuse in the Capital. She had also stated that such acts are unacceptable and would not be tolerated.