Hills students, parents worried after “eve-teasing” incident

EOIC, Siliguri: The parents of the three students from the Hills studying in Siliguri, who were assaulted last Sunday by a mob in NJP allegedly for eve-teasing a middle-aged woman in an auto, have approached the Human Rights for justice. 

Following the incident, parents from the Hills have begun expressing fears for the safety of their wards who are studying in the Siliguri and Jalpaiguri regions. 

“We are tensed and plan to change the college of my brother after hearing about the incident. The three students were assaulted severely by the mob just because we are from the Hills and fighting for a separate state,” said Meena Moktan, the sister of one of the victims. 

According to Meena, her family has approached the Darjeeling chapter of the Human Rights Protection Association (HRPA) for proper inquiry and justice. 

HRPA media convener Purnakala Thapa said, “We have received the complaint and are looking into the matter. We are also gathering detailed information from the police. No one has the right to take the law into their hands and resort to such brutal attacks. 

Even if a mistake has been committed, the accused should be handed over to the police instead.” 

Charan Lama, a resident of Jaldhaka and a first year student studying in Siliguri, was one of the victims of the mob attack. He said, “The auto we were in was packed with passengers. We were going to see off Ritesh Bhujel, an MBA student in Kolkata and a resident of Jaldhaka, at NJP station. While the auto was moving, it jerked after landing in a pothole and my hand accidently touched the woman’s shoulder. She started scolding me even though I apologised, and soon the other passengers began siding with the woman. 

When we reached NJP station, a mob had already formed to assault us. Some people from the mob were saying, ‘Gorkhaland chaye na tum logo ko, maar saley ko’.” 

Lama said he was also heading to Kolkata for admission to an MBA third semester course. He said, “I could not board the train after the incident and still can’t travel due to the injuries I have sustained.” 

Further, the parents of Pema Bhutia from Pedong, another student who was severely injured that day, said they are very much worried about his studies. 

(Source & Courtesy: http://echoofindia.com/siliguri-hills-students-parents-worried-after-eve-teasing-incident-36179)