Retaliation against murder of Congolese national in Delhi.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
A few Indians were injured in an attack in Congo by miscreants in retaliation to the killing of a Congolese student in Delhi. The Indian Foreign Ministry informed on Thursday that the shops run by some Indian were also attacked in Congo, reported The Times of India.
“Our embassy in Congo in touch with local authorities and as of now things have calmed down,” foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
“India’s relations with Congo go back many years. Thousands of African students continue to benefit from the Indian education system and we will ensure full safety to them,” he added.
Masunda Kitada Oliver, a 23-year-old graduate student was bludgeoned to death in Vasant Kunj areas of south Delhi last week by a group of three men. Oliver had a squabble with the men over an auto rickshaw he hired. They hit him on the head with a brick leading to his death the same night.
Oliver and his friend Samuel were on their way back after meeting another friend.
The Indian government has assured African diplomats that strict action will be taken against the assailants of Oliver.
Many African diplomats have asked the Indian government to ensure the safety of African nationals in the country. The African Heads of Mission in New Delhi has asked the government to postpone the Africa Day celebration to be held this week.
“Given the pervading climate of fear and insecurity in Delhi, the African Heads of Mission are left with little option than to consider recommending to their governments not to send new students to India, unless and until their safety can be guaranteed,” the African Heads of Mission said in a statement.
Understanding the seriousness of the situation, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj came up with assurance to the African students.
“I would like to assure African students in India that this an unfortunate and painful incident involving local goons,” Sushma tweeted on Wednesday.
The police have arrested two men in connection with the incident and investigation is going on to catch the third man.
Thousands of Africans study in different parts of India on their own expense and under government sponsored programs.
The attacks against foreign nationals have risen in India recently. Last week, a Bhutan national was gang raped in Bengaluru by three men. In another incident, a Tanzanian woman was beaten and stripped naked by a mob in Bengaluru.