The attack by fellow students on a 19-year-old B Com student, Farhad, a Muslim, who was set on fire in broad daylight just outside Hindu College in Moradabad on Thursday afternoon, shortly after completing an examination is the latest in a long line of hate crimes that dot the state and country. The police have told the newspaper that two young men — Aarush Singh, 21, a BA third-semester student, and Deepak Kumar, 20 — from the same college allegedly hurled inflammable substance at Farhad Ali, who suffered serious burns on his thighs. Though the motive of the two accused—who are on the run—is still unknown, the violence has triggered tension in the locality, prompting a heavy police presence around the campus.
Farhad had reportedly just stepped out of the examination centre when the attack occurred at the college gate. Witnesses saw flames leap from his clothes as people nearby scrambled to put them out.
Fortuitously, another group of students and passers-by rushed to douse the fire with water and cloth. Some used water bottles. Others shouted for help. For a few minutes, the scene dissolved into panic.
Police said that Farhad sustained around 8% burn injuries. He was first taken to a private facility on Delhi Road and later shifted to the district hospital. His condition is said to be stable, officials said. Moradabad (city) SP Kumar Ranvijay Singh said, “It appears the attackers used a petrol-filled bottle. We’re collecting forensic samples to confirm. An FIR is being registered.” Predictably, none have been arrested yet.
Hindu College is one of Moradabad’s older educational institutions. Police have taken statements from witnesses and are analysing footage from nearby CCTV cameras. The bottle suspected to have been used in the attack has been sent for chemical analysis. Police identified suspects as students of the same college. Their names emerged during questioning of those present on campus.
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