Attack on disabled student: SFI men assault another student for backing victim

Thiruvananthapuram: Days after a physically disabled student was assaulted by four SFI students at University College, a Lakshadweep-based student was allegedly attacked for showing solidarity with the victim.Muhammed Fayaz Khan, 24, from Kavaratti, was brutally beaten by seven SFI activists in the early hours of Saturday. The attackers barged into his hostel room and assaulted him. They also kicked him as he fell. Fayaz suffered injuries to his face and body, including a fractured hand."They were angry because I was friends with Muhammed Anas, who was recently attacked by them. They warned me to stop the friendship and even threatened to kill me if I didn't comply. I told them that my friendships were not their concern, which seemed to enrage them," Fayaz told the police in his complaint.The police have launched an investigation, registering a case against SFI members Adil, Akash, Abhijth, Kripesh, Ameesh, and two others under Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 329 (3) for criminal trespass, 351 (2) for criminal intimidation, 127 (2) for wrongful restraint, 115 (2) for voluntarily causing hurt, and 296 (b) for abuse.Muhammed Anas, a 19-year-old BA Islamic student, was attacked on Dec 2 by SFI members for not obeying their order to climb a wall and place a party flag. Anas, who has a disability, was unable to follow the order, which led to the assault.The accused in the case, philosophy students Amal Chand, Midhun, and Alan Jamal, along with Vidhu Udaya, a PG zoology student, had filed a petition for anticipatory bail in court, and the court issued a ‘not to arrest order' until Dec 17.