Students claim race attack happened in Glasgow's Buchanan Street

The flatmates were taken to the Royal Infirmary after reportedly being beaten, punched and kicked to the ground, as well as being subjected to a torrent of racist and xenophobic slurs. 

A police probe was immediately launched into the incident at 10.55pm last Monday in Buchanan Street. 

Speaking exclusively to the Glasgow Times, the 29-year-old and 26-year-old, whose identities we are protecting, told how the alleged ordeal has left them ‘terrified and shaken’. 

They told how a garbage bag was thrown at them by a group of youths as they walked through the heart of the city after enjoying a meal with friends.  

One of the alleged victims said: “I tried to laugh it off at first because I saw a wine bottle in the male's hand and I thought they were drunk, but he picked up another bag and threw that at us too. At that point I became concerned for our safety." 

She told how both ladies began to speed up their walking pace in a bid to escape the situation. 

Her friend alleged: "We heard some horrible things being shouted at us, so we turned back to ensure that we were out of harm’s way. That is when three people charged at us. They then slapped, punched and began kicking us to the ground.

“We tried to get away but the gang continued to follow us for about half a mile, and I was concerned that things were about to get a lot worse. Thankfully, we were able to jump in a taxi and that is when we realised exactly what had happened and began to get very upset. 

“We were both very upset and in complete shock. We love living in Glasgow and have never experienced anything like this before, but our families now want us to give up our studies and return to India because they fear for our safety." 

Students subjected to alleged race attack in Glasgow (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

One of the women, who is studying a Master's in Law at the University of Glasgow, told how they have barely gone outside since the alleged incident. 

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She said: “I just keep playing it over and over in my mind. Apart from going to hospital immediately afterwards to be checked over, we’ve barely ventured out of our front door. 

“I think we are just numb, and I keep having nightmares. It has been awful, I’ve never felt threatened like that before. We’ve always been happy and settled here and I don’t want to give up my course, but this has had a very serious impact on my life. 

“We just order food to be delivered and neither of us feels confident going about our daily lives. We were just walking home after enjoying a nice meal and we were set upon for no reason. We were two women just minding our own business and by the things that were being shouted at us, we know it was racially driven.” 

The 29-year-old says she has gone through a range of emotions since her ordeal. 

She added: “Mentally and physically this has been very traumatic for us both. We’ve always been very sociable and loved going out and about but now I don’t want to leave the security of our flat. It’s been very difficult to process it all. 

“I'm struggling to move on, and this isn't something I can push to the back of my mind. I keep thinking about how things could have been even worse if we hadn't managed to get into that taxi when we did. 

“Our friends and family have been very supportive, and we’ve had lots of lovely messages from people, which has helped a lot. I really don’t want to live my life in fear and have always felt so welcome in Glasgow until this happened. 

"I think we will both struggle to move forward.” 

Buchanan Street (Image: Supplied)

Police Scotland told the Glasgow Times that its officers had been called to a report of a disturbance in relation to an alleged attack in the city centre.  

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A spokesperson said: “Around 10.55pm on Monday, May 15, police were called to a report of a disturbance on Buchanan Street in Glasgow. 

"A 14-year-old male youth and two 15-year-old female youths have subsequently been charged in connection with the incident. 

“Reports will be submitted to the procurator fiscal and Youth Justice Management Service.”