Assault on Mizoram youth: 3 held

The 23-year-old was beaten by his neighbours in Bengaluru on December 26

An 80 year-old is among three arrested for assaulting a 23-year -old youth from Mizoram on December 26.

The attack was termed “racial” by the North East Association.

The three were arrested by the Banaswadi police on Wednesday after the association presented to the police a video taken on a neighbour’s mobile phone .

The video grab shows former Chief Security Officer of ITC Clifford Wilson (80), his son Carlton Wilson (56) and daughter-in-law Lynn Wilson (54), attacking the Mizo youth with an iron rod and threatening him with dire consequences in the Akkayamma layout.

The youth, identified as Jerry, works as a hairdresser in Bengaluru.

The incident came to light after he called the NE helpline and narrated the ordeal.

“The trio has been arrested and investigations are on,” said Hemanth Nimbalkar, Additional Commissioner of Police (East). They have been charged with assault and criminal intimidation, and remanded in judicial custody.

The three have confessed that Jerry had accused them of damaging his bike and abused them, following which they attacked him. The police have summoned Jerry to record his statement.

‘Racial attack’

According to Reena Ralta, North East Association Coordinator, the 23-year-old youth and his friends had been facing harassment ever since Jerry moved into a house in the neighbourhood.

Terming the incident a “racial attack,” she said: “Jerry had parked the bike near his apartment and was celebrating Christmas when he heard some noise outside. When he went out, he found his bike had fallen down.

While he tried to pick up his bike, the accused came out and attacked him with an iron rod,” said Dr. Ralta who, after obtaining the mobile video grab from the neighbour, approached the police.

Expressing concern over the attacks on people from the north-east in the last three weeks, she said: “Between December 26 and January 7, three incidents of attack on north-east people have been reported in Bengaluru.”

‘Duel turned ugly’

However, the police downplayed the incident. They said the accused and the victim had entered into a “verbal duel” over parking the motorcycle and the incident had “turned ugly.”