A British-born Sikh woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted, raped and beaten in a racially motivated attack on Tuesday in Oldbury near Birmingham, UK, by two white men.
West Midlands Police confirmed to TOI they are investigating the rape, which the woman says happened between 8.00 and 8.30am and they are treating it as a racially aggravated attack.
"The woman has told us that a racist remark was made to her during the attack," a police spokesperson said.
According to the Sikh Federation (UK), during the attack the rapists shouted at her: "You don't belong in this country, get out."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said they were called just before 8.30am on Sept 9 after the woman reported being attacked in the area around Tame Road.
The two attackers are described as being white. One had a shaved head, heavy build, and was wearing a dark-coloured sweatshirt and gloves. The second was wearing a grey zipped top.
Gurinder Singh Josan MP, whose constituency office is just minutes away from where the rape happened, said: "This is a truly horrific attack and my thoughts are with the victim. I am reassured Sandwell Police are doing everything they possibly can to find the perpetrators. The incident is being treated as a hate crime. The police are working extremely sympathetically with the victim at her pace who has been traumatised."
Sikh Youth UK has met and is supporting the victim and her family.
Ch Supt Kim Madill, of Sandwell Police, said: "We are working really hard to identify those responsible, with CCTV, forensic and other enquiries well under way. We fully understand the anger and worry that this has caused. Incidents like this are incredibly rare, but people can expect to see extra patrols."
The rape follows the recent unprovoked attack on two British Sikh taxi drivers, Satnam Singh (64), and Jasbir Sangha (72), on Aug 15 outside Wolverhampton station during which Singh's turban was ripped off. British Transport Police are treating that as a racially aggravated assault. A teenager and two men were arrested and released on bail.