US: Sikh bus driver assaulted in Los Angeles; called terrorist, suicide bomber

Washington, Jan 14: A Sikh man who worked as a bus driver in US for 17 years has been brutally assaulted by a passenger. He was also termed a terrorist and a suicide bomber.

"A bus passenger brutally attacked a turbaned Sikh bus driver Balwinder Jit Singh in Los Angeles on November 6, 2015, calling him a "terrorist" and "suicide bomber," and accusing him of hijacking the bus, said a statement issued by the Sikh Coalition on Wednesday.

The assault left Balwinder in the hospital with a black eye, swollen and bruised face and jaw, and infection in his eye.
Two months later, he continues to suffer from blurred vision and pain.

Balwinder has retained the Sikh Coalition to represent him in this ongoing criminal investigation.

He immediately reported the incident to the police, he delayed going public because he didn't know how to do so until he contacted the Sikh Coalition.

"I know that sharing my story sheds further light on the bigotry and hatred faced by communities across the nation," said Balwinder. "These crimes cannot be tolerated."

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, the individual responsible is currently in custody with the Los Angeles Police Department on a different criminal case.

"In the face of hateful rhetoric and the current climate of fear, we must ensure that all bias-based incidents are thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice," said the Sikh Coalition's senior staff attorney, Gurjot Kaur.

"We cannot fight hate if law enforcement agencies ignore or fail to recognize hate crimes," added Kaur.

OneIndia News