Higio Gungtey, 22 a student from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly assaulted by his landlord Hemanth Kumar on March 6 after an argument over the usage of water. according to him, also forced him to lick his shoes for using excessive water, the police said.
Also Read: JNU student found dead
According to the report the landlord also forced him to lick his shoes for using excessive water, the police said. Other tenants in Mr Kumar’s building, he said, complained of water shortage due to excessive use of water by Mr Gungtey.
Mr Gungtey said the owner, who according to him was drunk when the incident occurred, “banged the door, locked it and without any reason, started beating… he also made me lick his shoes.”
“He also threatened to take me to police. He hit me continuously, I was bleeding,” he told police.
Also read: Games of Thrones season 7; Ed Sheeran’s presence on the show
“Saddening”, said Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, commenting on the incident
My office is pursuing this case. When we are talking of the safety of Indians abroad such incidents in our own country are very saddening. https://t.co/l9jnkoyVHa
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 13, 2017
Expressing shock over the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddarahamaiah said that the police has taken swift action into the matter and “the perpetrator has been arrested”.
Attack on student from Arunachal is shocking. Police has taken prompt action and the perpetrator has been arrested.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) March 13, 2017
The landlord is facing multiple charges including assault, criminal intimidation, based on a complaint by Mr Gungtey. The police assured the North East community in the city that the accused will face additional charges if racist angle is proved. A section of the North Eastern community in Bengaluru called it a racist attack.
Also Read: HBD Aamir Khan; Movies which made him ‘Mr. Perfectionist’