Following the recent attacks on Africans in Greater Noida, representatives of the Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) met Gautam Budh Nagar District Magistrate N. P Singh on Wednesday and alleged that the police were taking unfair action against residents and social workers during investigation into the incident.
The representatives claimed that some residents, fearing police action, had sent their young children out of Greater Noida.
The meeting took place at Mr. Singh’s camp office in Sector 27, Noida.
A delegation of representatives from the Noida and Greater Noida RWAs submitted a memo to Mr. Singh.
“Nigerian students are engaged in drug peddling. Class-XII student Manish Khari was murdered by five Nigerians. The police detained five Nigerians but later released them. When the family and supporters of the deceased organised a peaceful candle march, some people went on a rampage and attacked Nigerians. The police booked innocent persons. It is an unfair action. We demand immediate arrest of those Nigerians involved in killing Manish,” the memo read.
The RWAs said that the police was working under pressure and not initiating action against those involved in killing Manish.
“We believe in Atithi Devo Bhava (The guest is equivalent to God), but the Africans are engaged in anti-social activities in Greater Noida. They must understand our law and culture. The way they behave in the city is totally unacceptable. We condemn the attack on Nigerians but at the same time, the police and government should also understand the other side of the story like what resentment sparked the incident,” said one of the representatives.
After hearing the complaints, Mr. Singh told the representatives that attacks on foreigners would not be accepted at any cost. He, however, assured them that no innocent people would be booked.
“After thorough examination, accused are identified and arrested by cops. So far the police have only conducted searches for those whose names surfaced during questioning of the arrested,” Mr Singh said.
“False information is spread about Africans such as they are cannibals. African nations always stand by India and any attack on Africans in India hurts these ties. Misconceptions are leading to differences. We are addressing these misconceptions,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu , after the meeting.
Kenyan woman attacked
Just hours after the meeting, media outlets started reporting about a young Kenyan woman being attacked.
The woman, identified by the police as Maria Burendi (25), alleged that she was beaten and kicked in the abdomen while she was travelling in a cab. An FIR has been lodged with Greater Noida police station.
