NEW DELHI, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Police in northern Indian state of Haryana have arrested three people for assaulting two Kashmiri students, officials said Saturday.
The two Kashmiri Muslim students at the Central University of Haryana in Mahendragarh, about 100 km from New Delhi, were thrashed by nearly 15 people on late Friday afternoon.
"Yesterday after offering congregational prayers, when we were walking through a market place, we were surrounded by around 15 people who attacked us without any reason," Aftab Ahmad, a victim, said. "We continued to ask them why they were beating us but they went on attacking us with sticks, bricks and helmets."
The two students suffered injuries on their face and bruises on arms and legs. They were reportedly taken to hospital and later on discharged.
Following the incident India-controlled Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approached Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar over the incident, urging strict action.
"Three people have been arrested and three others have been identified through CCTV footage," a senior police official said. "We would soon arrest all the accused in the accident."
The attack has shocked Kashmiri students and triggered an outrage in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"We feel threatened and are in constant fear here," a fellow student said. "This is example of growing intolerance in Indian states against Kashmiris."
In the past incidents of assault on Kashmiri students in Indian states have been reported.
