The bizarre incident happened when 70-year-old Nirmal Singh was visiting the US from India. Singh has returned India, but the police investigated the case in his absence
The New York police have arrested Vernon Douglas, 19, in connection with attack on a Sikh man in Queens on the morning of April 3. Vernon, a Brooklyn man is facing charges of hate crimes, as investigations are under process.
The bizarre incident happened when 70-year-old Nirmal Singh was visiting the US from India. Singh has returned India, but the police investigated the case in his absence.
Meanwhile, two other Sikh men aged 76 and 64, were also assaulted at the same intersection where the assault with Nirmal Singh had happened. Police have made arrests in those cases also
India West quoted Nirmal Singh’s son, Manjit, as saying. “My father is very grateful that his attacker has been identified and arrested so that he cannot harm others. Our family sees this sad incident as an assault not just on him, but on all who wear turbans and other articles of faith. Successfully investigating and prosecuting this as a hate crime should send a clear message: All of our elders–regardless of religion, race, or any other characteristic–deserve to be able to walk the streets without fear.”
Meanwhile, two other Sikh men aged 76 and 64, were also assaulted at the same intersection where the assault with Nirmal Singh had happened. “Two men hit beat them up and ripped off their turbans, police had said. In that crime, Hezekiah Coleman, 20, was arrested and charged with robbery, assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment. The Richmond Hill area has a sizeable presence of Sikhs,” the report said.
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