Hindustan Times (Patiala)

Ludhiana YouTuber held for racial slur on Arunachal MLA

In a video posted on Sunday, youngster termed Congress legislator Ninong Ering a non-Indian and claimed the state was a part of China

- Tarsem Deogan letterschd@hindustant­imes.com

LUDHIANA: YouTuber and social media influencer Paras Singh, alias Bunty, was arrested in Ludhiana on Tuesday for his racial remarks against a Congress MLA from Arunachal Pradesh and ill will towards the people of the state.

Paras Singh, who goes by the name Paras Official on his YouTube channel, had in a video posted on Sunday termed Congress MLA Ninong Ering a nonIndian and apparently claimed that Arunachal Pradesh was a part of China, sparking furore among Arunchalee­s and people from other parts of the country.

In another video, posted on Monday, he apologised for his comments.

Joint commission­er of police (JCP, city) Deepak Pareek confirmed that Paras Singh was arrested on Tuesday. He was on the run after he came to know that the police are after him. A team of Arunachal Pradesh Police is expected to reach Ludhiana on Wednesday for taking the custody of the accused.

The accused is 21-year-old and a school dropout. He is matric pass, but he acquired knowledge of gadgets and internet. Paras has 4.57 lakh subscriber­s on his YouTube channel.

“A case has been registered against Paras for racial hatred and the cyber crime branch in Itanagar is investigat­ing the matter,” Arunachal Pradesh director general of police (DGP) RP Upadhyaya said.

Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports Kiren Rijiju confirmed Paras Singh’s arrest and tweeted that he has talked to the Ludhiana commission­er of police to speed up the process to hand over the accused to Arunachal Pradesh Police.

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu condemned the racial slur and said the “video aims at inciting ill will and hatred towards the people of Arunachal Pradesh”. Social media should be used with caution and any infringeme­nt will lead to action according

The video aims at inciting ill will and hatred towards the people of Arunachal. Social media should be used with caution PEMA KHANDU, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister

to law, the CM added.

Paras Singh had apparently made the comments while reacting to a letter written by Ering to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wherein he had sought a ban on the relaunch of PUBG Mobile as Battlegrou­nds Mobile India. The Pasighat East MLA, when contacted, said he would file a case against Paras.

Mother seeks apology in Youtube video

Chanda, mother of Paras, had uploaded a video on his Youtube channel seeking apology. She said that the police should give her son a chance to rectify his mistakes. He has already removed the controvers­ial content.

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? A policeman outside the residence of Paras Singh (inset) in Janakpuri area of Ludhiana on Tuesday.
HT PHOTO A policeman outside the residence of Paras Singh (inset) in Janakpuri area of Ludhiana on Tuesday.

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