Kashmiris attacked in Delhi: Hate crime? Stray-dog menace? Molestation?
A Kashmiri family in Delhi's Maharani Bagh came under brutal attack by neighbors yesterday. Videos showed a mob cornering and assaulting them with sticks. Though the family alleged they were targeted because they were Kashmiris, residents claim the argument was over feeding of stray dogs. A woman said one of the Kashmiris regularly molested women. Both groups have since filed complaints against each other.
'A mob attacked us when we were taking a walk'
According to the Kashmiris, the three sisters were out for a stroll in the Siddharth Extension locality around 11pm, when "a mob of around 30-35 people" charged at them. "My brother came running to defend us, but they didn't stop. They hit us with hockey sticks and iron rods, groped me, and hurled abuses at us," said one of them.
Viral video of the assault
'Harassment has been going on since long'
The Kashmiris, who've been living in the area since 17 years, alleged they were being harassed since long. "They tried to run over my father once, after which we sent him to Kashmir," said the brother. Locals had been repeatedly asking them to move out, they said, and called them "Kashmiri ugrawaadi (extremist)." Yesterday too, they allegedly shouted slogans about revenge for Kashmiri Pandits.
'Fight broke out as they misbehaved with women'
Residents have denied the claims. Sangeeta Tripathi told NDTV they didn't attack the family, and the "woman beat herself up to inflict self-injuries." Incidentally, a man in the video is heard saying the same. Tripathi said the fight started because one of the men "misbehaved with women." "I lodged a complaint against him for molestation in December. Last night too, he...abused me and misbehaved."
Both parties have filed 52 complaints against each other
Among other issues the residents protested were the family feeding stray dogs; several people had been bitten in the last few months, they complained. In the last five years, the residents and the family have filed 52 police complaints against each other, TOI reported. Last month, locals even wrote to the PM about the family which was "harboring terrorists," and sought his intervention.
Kashmiri journalist denies it was a racial attack
Four arrested till now, investigation underway
An FIR has been registered in the latest incident for molestation, assault and outraging the modesty of a woman. Four people have been arrested, Scroll reports. Cops are analyzing the video and questioning locals. But the Kashmiris are wondering why only they were attacked for feeding dogs when "there are more than 30 families (in the area) that take care of animals."