Arrests made over India bus assault as sisters lauded for bashing culprits

Police in India's northern Haryana state have arrested three men in connection with an alleged incident of sexual harassment on a crowded bus that gained widespread attention after a video clip of two sisters fighting their tormentors went viral.

The three men were arrested late Sunday night on suspicion of molesting the women in Rohtak district while they were on their way home.

A passenger on the bus captured the incident, which reportedly occurred last Friday, on a mobile phone and the footage has been aired widely. It shows the two women — ages 22 and 19 — hitting, punching and beating their harassers with a belt. The pair said they lashed out after enduring lewd comments and pawing from a group of men.

The women said the harassment continued on board the bus, and they explained how the incident escalated to the point where one of the men began hitting one of the women.

No other passengers on board appeared to help the women in the video.

"We have arrested three men. The main person involved is Kuldeep Singh. The other two involved are Mohit and Deepak. The three will be presented in court tomorrow and then will be taken into judicial custody," police officer Gajendra Singh confirmed.

Meanwhile, the two sisters are being hailed for their actions.

A politician of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), O.P. Dhankar, said they were an inspiration to everyone and offered them a cash reward.

"Every girl should show bravery done by the two girls. I respect their bravery. Both the girls will be awarded rupees 31,000 (nearly $498) each. The government will probe into the case," Dhankar said.

Indian laws prevent identification of alleged victims' names in any sexual harassment case.

The incident is the latest to draw attention to sexual attacks on women in India.

In December 2012, the brutal gang-rape of a 23-year-old medical student in New Delhi caused national outrage, with mass protests across the country for stringent rape laws and fast-track courts to punish the perpetrators.

Al Jazeera and wire services