Two youths from Manipur were beaten up after they resented some racial remarks made on them late Sunday, police said, just a few days after an alleged racial attack led to the death of a student from Arunachal Pradesh. Two juveniles were detained Monday for their involvement in the assault.

The two Manipuri youth were attacked by a group of motorbike riders in Ambedkar Nagar area of south Delhi around 8.30 p.m. Sunday.

They were beaten up following an argument with two passers-by who allegedly called them "chinki" and "Nepali".

One of the victims, 24-year-old Ginkhansuan Naulak, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in a serious condition. He has got stitches on his left ear.

His 25-year-old cousin Vumsuanmung Naulak has been discharged from hospital.

A friend said the duo were first attacked by two men and later other people joined them and beat them up with wooden sticks.

"They were returning home from the market. At a cigarette shop, two men passed remarks at them which they opposed. Following an argument, my friends decided to leave the place," he said.

"But when they were on their way, a group of men, including the two men who had passed the remarks, attacked them and fled," he added.

Police said that after the attack, the victims went to the hospital by themselves and informed police.

Ginkhansuan Naulak, who works in a private firm, told police that the attackers did not rob him or his cousin. He also said the assailants were not known to him.

A police officer, however, told IANS it may be a case of "mistaken identity".

"But they were shocked and scared."

He said two juveniles were detained and would undergo a test identification parade Tuesday.

Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi earlier said a probe has been launched.

In a similar incident that occurred Jan 29, 19-year-old Arunachal student Nido Tania was attacked by some shopkeepers in Lajpat Nagar in south Delhi that led to his death. Tania's friends say the men ridiculed him for his blonde hair and hurled racial slurs at him, which triggered a fight.