Bangalore: In a suspected hate crime incident in Bangalore, a Manipuri student was beaten up by people for ignoring their demand that he speak in Kannada.
The 26-year-old student - T Michael Lamjathang Haokip sustained injuries on his head and back but is now out of danger. Michael claims that he was approached by a mob who demanded that he speak in Kannada. When he ignored them, the student alleges that he was hit with stones.
"They said when you are in Karnataka, you have to speak in Kannada, otherwise get out. They hit me with stones when I ignored them. I had to get five stitches. I have filed a complaint. We were speaking in Tharu language, when they approached us and asked us to talk in Kannada."
The incident occurred past midnight in Kothannur. Michael is the president of the Tharu Students' Association. Two other members of the association, Ngamkholen Haokip, 28, and Rocky Kipgen, 25, who were with Michael when he was attacked escaped with minor injuries.
One of Michael's friend said,"We are Indians, but in South Indian when we come, our face is different. So the localites do not consider us as Indians. They dominate over us because of our face. This is not the first incident. This has happened earlier as well."
Additional Commissioner of Police, Alok Kumar said that three people have been arrested and strict action will be taken against the miscreants. "Such intolerance will not be accepted," Kumar said.
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