Bengaluru: A student from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly assaulted in Bengaluru by his landlord who, according to him, also forced him to lick his shoes for using excessive water, the police said.
Higio Gungtey, 22, was allegedly assaulted by his landlord Hemanth Kumar on March 6 after an argument over the usage of water. 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.
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". The landlord is facing multiple charges including assault, criminal intimidation, based on a complaint by Mr Gungtey.
A section of the North Eastern community in Bengaluru called it a racist attack.
The police assured the North East community in the city that the accused will face additional charges if racist angle is proved.
"We have registered the case. We will further investigate the matter," Hemant Nimbalkar, Additional Commissioner of Police, said.
"Saddening", said Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, commenting on the incident.
He tweeted, "My office pursuing this case. When we are talking of safety of Indians abroad such incidents in our country are very saddening".
Higio Gungtey, 22, was allegedly assaulted by his landlord Hemanth Kumar on March 6 after an argument over the usage of water. 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."
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".
Advertisement
The police assured the North East community in the city that the accused will face additional charges if racist angle is proved.
Advertisement
"Saddening", said Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, commenting on the incident.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Arunachal Villages On China Border Receive Essential Supplies After Flash Floods Army Chief Reviews Security Situation Along China Border, Manipur As Northeast Faces Floods, Daring Rescue Ops By Air Force, Assam Rifles Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Recalled To Academy, Training Put On Hold Meet Indian-Origin Usha Chilukuri Vance, Wife Of Trump's Vice President Pick Four In Five Americans Fear Country Is Sliding Into Chaos: Polls Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Admission Deadline Extended For EWS And Special Needs Children Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.