Mangaluru: A college student was allegedly assaulted by Hindu vigilante group at Surathkal on Sunday afternoon over a photo that went viral on a social networking site. The boy, identified as Mohammed Riyaz, was seen in the picture along with another boy who was lying on the lap of five girls in a classroom.

The boy and the girls were from different communities. The photo went viral over WhatsApp on Saturday. The caption stated that the boy was Muslim and girls were Hindus and the picture was clicked at a college on the city outskirts. Hindu organisations took exception with the photo and warned the college management to take action against the boy seen with the girls. Though Riyaz was merely sitting alongside the group, he came under attack. He told a local media that on Sunday two of his friends came to his house on the pretext of solving the problem through talks.

When they went out they were waylaid by a group that came in a car. The group dragged Riyaz to a secluded place and assaulted him. The gang also allegedly asked Riyaz if he was a Muslim and also enquired about the other boy seen in the picture. The group allegedly left Riyaz at some place. He called his parents, who took him to a private hospital, where he is now being treated.

A case has been registered by the police. Police officials said as there was information that the other boy seen in the picture may get assaulted, they have sent him to an undisclosed location. The police also summoned the parents of all the students in the picture and counselled them.