Begusarai Stadium Incident: Drug-Addled Youths Harass and Attempt Assault on Girls
In a disturbing incident at Gandhi Stadium in Begusarai, a group of youths, allegedly under the influence of drugs, engaged in eve-teasing and attempted to assault several girls during their routine morning running practice on Wednesday. The stadium, situated directly in front of the district magistrate's office, is a favored location for morning walkers and girls preparing for police service examinations.
Eyewitness Accounts Detail Harassment and Violence
One of the targeted girls recounted the harrowing experience to reporters, stating that the youths initially misbehaved with her and her friends. "When we opposed them, they even attempted to assault me. Fortunately, my trainer was present and I was saved," she revealed, highlighting the immediate danger faced.
Praveen Kumar, who operates a physical training academy for aspirants at the stadium, corroborated the account, noting the youths appeared intoxicated. "I had completed the physical training and was about to begin high jump practice when one of them picked up a pipe kept for the purpose. When I objected, he pushed me and tried to attack me with it," Kumar explained, underscoring the escalation to physical violence.
Local Residents Express Security Concerns
Residents of the area voiced significant worries about safety at the stadium, which attracts a large crowd every morning. A local emphasized, "The stadium is in a high-security zone. Police must ensure security here during morning hours," pointing to the need for enhanced vigilance.
Another resident, Vikas Kumar, added, "Of late, a gang of drug addicts frequents the stadium in the morning and misbehaves with aspiring girls," indicating a recurring pattern of harassment that has troubled the community.
Police Response and Lack of Formal Complaint
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, Begusarai town police station SHO Satish Kumar Himanshu reported that no First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged. "Police received information about an incident in the morning, but nothing serious was found during inquiry," he stated, suggesting a discrepancy between eyewitness accounts and official findings.
This response has sparked concerns among locals about the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing such incidents, particularly in a high-security area like Gandhi Stadium. The incident underscores broader issues of public safety and drug-related misconduct in the region.
