Northeast Desk, 28th May: An Arunachalee family faced assault and derogatory remarks during a routine breakfast stop at Junu Hotel, near the Subansiri Bridge on the route from Pasighat to Itanagar, transforming a morning meal into a traumatic experience.
The incident occurred when the family discovered a cooked cockroach in their vegetable curry. Upon reporting this to a staff member, who appeared to be around 27-28 years old, they were met with derogatory language targeting their Arunachal identity instead of an apology or resolution.
As tensions escalated, the confrontation turned violent. Three staff members allegedly not only verbally abused the family but also physically assaulted them, including the victim’s wife and a reporter named Atul Das. The situation quickly attracted a mob, with more than 30 to 35 people joining in, targeting the family’s belongings.
During the chaos, Rs. 46,000 in cash and an iPhone 15 Pro Max belonging to the victim were stolen, and the front glass of their Bolero car was damaged. Even their dog protection gear, valued at Rs. 800, was not spared.
In a desperate bid to escape, Atul Das managed to get the family into their car and drive away. However, the attackers continued their assault, throwing a stone that further damaged the car’s front glass.
In response to this egregious incident, the victim has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the staff and owner of Junu Hotel near Subansiri Bridge in Assam. The Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) has also called for a boycott of the hotel, urging drivers and commuters to avoid the establishment in solidarity with the assaulted family.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with community members demanding justice and stricter action against the perpetrators. The AAPPTF’s call for a boycott aims to pressure the hotel into addressing the behavior of its staff and ensuring such incidents do not occur in the future.
Authorities are expected to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against those involved in the assault. The victim’s family and supporters are hopeful that justice will be served, and measures will be put in place to prevent such incidents from happening again.
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