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.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted condemning the attacks
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 :
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.
