Days after a Congolese national was beaten to death over an altercation in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, six other African nationals were attacked in different incidents in Delhi’s Mehrauli area, prompting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to speak to Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Apart from Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Swaraj tweeted that she also spoke to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on the issue, and was assured of action against culprits.
They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitization campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016
Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted condemning the attacks
Spoke to CP Delhi regarding the incident of physical assault against certain African nationals in New Delhi. Such incidents are condemnable.
— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) May 29, 2016
Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers & increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone
— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) May 29, 2016
The incidents
In one incident, Nigerian priest Kenneth Igbinosa claimed that he was attacked with a cricket bat by a group, while returning home with his wife and four-month-old son. 32-year-old Leuchy, another Nigerian national was quoted telling NDTV that he was stopped by a group of locals and attacked with a bat and a stone while on his way to church.
“They attacked me with bats and a stone, which caused a deep injury on my nose among other wounds. They kept thrashing me as I screamed for help asking them why they were doing so.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police(South) termed the attacks as “isolated incidents” and ruled out any planning or racist nature behind the attacks. He said that the police registered complaints of physical assaults and criminal intimidation despite none of the victims willing to register a case.
African nationals to hold demonstrations
In the wake of recent incidents, African students have announced to hold protest march in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to which EAM Sushma Swaraj tweetd this :
I have asked Gen V.K.Singh MOS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet #Africanstudents who hv announced demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016
Another incident in Hyderabad
In a separate incident, a Nigerian national in Hyderabad was also beaten up on Wednesday night, after an argument with his neighbour over a car parking spot. While local authorities have ruled out racial motives behind the incident, EAM Sushma Swaraj has asked for a report on the matter, The Indian Express reported.