North Indians beaten up in Thane rape backlash

Some North Indians in Thane were allegedly assaulted yesterday by people from the same locality who are yet to be identified. This incident occurred after a case of rape of a four-year-old girl was registered with the Kopri police station and cops arrested a North Indian man.

Senior Inspector NH Hatkar from Kopri police station said, "Investigations are going on to establish whether only Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers were involved or was there someone else too. As per prima facie reports several political party workers were involved in this episode."

According to police officials, the 24-year-old rape accused, identified as Upendra Singh alias Chhotu, and the victim stayed nearby. The accused had taken the four-year-old from her residence in Thane saying that he was accompanying her to some Holi celebrations in the neighbourhood.

Instead, he took the child to an isolated spot and raped her. The incident took place around 11.30 am on Wednesday.

Cops say the victim has been scarred for life. The girl is hesitant to tag along with any man, as even yesterday she seemed fearful to accompany a cousin. The child only remembers that an ‘uncle' took her along with him and touched her inappropriately.

Immediately after the incident she was admitted to Thane civil hospital and reports state the victim had to receive four stitches on her private parts.u00a0