Gangtok: Gangtok-based Sikkimese rapper Ugen Namgyal Bhutia, popularly known as UNB, was allegedly attacked by a group of eight to ten men near Tiwari Gaon in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley district while returning from a performance at the Anini Winter Festival 5.0, police and his manager said on Tuesday.
UNB was the Day 1 headliner at the festival, held on September 19 and 20. According to his manager Deep Dhar, UNB and his team were travelling towards Roing at around 6 pm on Monday when two vehicles allegedly followed their car for nearly an hour before intercepting them.
Dhar alleged that the two vehicles—an Innova and a Bolero registered in Assam—had their number plates concealed with mud. The assailants allegedly confirmed that UNB was inside the vehicle before attacking the rapper and his manager.
The attackers allegedly struck the vehicle with rods and targeted UNB and Dhar, while other members of the team were not assaulted, according to Dhar.
UNB suffered injuries to his head and face, including swelling around one eye. He underwent a medical examination and is currently stated to be stable with minor injuries, his manager said. Dhar also sustained an injury to his nose, along with other injuries. The vehicle in which the team was travelling was also damaged.
Dhar said the attack took place along a secluded jungle stretch with no other vehicles in the vicinity. The assailants allegedly fled after a truck approached the area.
The incident was reported to Roing Police Station at around 7.50 pm on Monday, with police attributing the delay in reporting to poor mobile connectivity in the area.
Police accompanied UNB to the reported site on Tuesday and are gathering evidence and information from available sources. The lack of eyewitnesses and poor network connectivity in the secluded area have posed challenges to the investigation.
The attack has also brought attention to an alleged social-media dispute involving UNB and Arunachal Pradesh-based rapper Don Kam. According to police sources, UNB’s statement mentions an ongoing “cold war” between the two rappers on social media and an attempted altercation during his previous visit to Arunachal Pradesh.
Sources close to UNB have claimed that the attackers could be supporters of Don Kam. However, there is no confirmation of Don Kam’s involvement in the attack, and police have not established any direct link between him and the alleged assault.
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The FIR has been registered at Roing Police Station under Sections 126(2), 115(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation.
Police have launched efforts to identify the assailants, trace the vehicles allegedly used in the attack and ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident.
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