Five people have been arrested in connection with attacks on African students in Greater Noida, sparking concern over their safety and prompting intervention by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who has promised immediate action.
Four Nigerian students were attacked by a group of Greater Noida residents who took out a candle-light march on Monday after a 16-year-old boy Manish Khari died last week in the NSG Black Cats Enclave due to suspected drug overdose.
The protest march was taken out after the police released some Nigerians detained for questioning in connection with the death of Manish, a class XII student, due to “lack of evidence”.
Following the incident, Nigerian High Commission officials went to meet the injured nationals.
A senior High Commission official said the mission was in touch with the External Affairs Ministry.
Security tightened
To restore confidence, the Gautam Budh Nagar district administration and police officials held meeting with representatives of African students’ associations, officials of the Nigerian High Commission, local RWAs, private universities where African and other foreigner students study and African students’ associations.
At the meeting, Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate N. P. Singh said: “India believes in Atithi Devo Bhava (The guest is equivalent to God). Indians and Africans have always had a cordial relationship”.
After the meeting, Mr. Singh told The Hindu : “I have directed officials to regularly hold meeting with foreign students to understand their issues. We have also directed colleges and universities to hold orientation programs for foreign students. I have also asked local RWAs and private universities to organise occasional cultural exchange events, which strengthen bonding.”
Flag marches
The police also conducted flag marches in Alpha commercial belt, Jagat Farms and Pari Chowk to restore confidence among foreign nationals living in Greater Noida.
Over 200 cops have been deployed outside Nimbus residential society, Sharda University, Alistonia society, Eldeco society and Delhi Police society, where African nationals live in large numbers. The police said that that are nearly 5,000 Africans living in Greater Noida.
Social media posts
The police are also tracking social media posts as some people are justifying the act against Africans. Officials said that action will be taken against people are are trying to instigate further violence.
FIR registered
As per the FIR registered in connection with the case, a copy of which is with The Hindu , the police have booked 10 named and 1,200 unnamed persons under Sections 147 (Punishment for rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 307 (Attempt to murder) and 364 (Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.
Talking to The Hindu Greater Noida’s Superintendent of Police Sujata Singh said: “We have stepped up security near residences and colleges of Nigerian students. We have arrested five persons. We have urged Africans not to step out of their home, if possible, for the next two to three days”.
‘No evidence’
Ms. Singh said that the five Nigerians who were booked in connection with the death of Manish were later let off as there was no evidence against them.
“Initial probe doesn’t support the allegations. We have come to know that the victim had old medical history. There is a possibility that the boy was depressed. We have recovered CCTV footage,” Ms. Singh said.
