Five people were arrested in connection with attacks on African students in Noida, which sparked concerns over their safety and made External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj promise immediate action.
Ms. Swaraj spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after being approached by an African student, who pleaded for action, describing the situation as “life-threatening situation.”
Four Nigerian students were attacked by a group of Noida residents who took out a candle light march on Monday after 17-year-old Manish died last week due to suspected drug overdose.
The protest march was taken out after the police released some Nigerians detained for questioning in connection with Manish’s death.
Following the incident, Nigerian High Commission officials went to meet the injured persons and said they felt “unsafe”. A senior high commission official said the mission was in touch with the External Affairs Ministry on the issue.
In a series of tweets, Ms. Swaraj said, “I have spoken to Yogi Adityanath ji Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh about attack on African students in Greater Noida. He has assured that there will be a fair and impartial investigation into this unfortunate incident [sic].”
She was responding to a tweet from a student who requested her to “act fast as living for us in Noida is becoming a life-threatening issue.”
Sujata Singh, Superintendent of Police, Greater Noida, said the protesters became violent during the protest march and started beating up the Africans they saw on the road. “They also went to Ansal Mall and caused havoc and beat up Africans there. The police then rescued them and moved them to a safe place,” she said.
“The police had to use force to dissuade people from attacking and arrested five people from the spot. Many of them who were there trying to play mischief have been identified as the entire event had been videographed,” Daljit Chaudhary, ADGP, Law and Order, told reporters in Greater Noida.
An FIR has been registered and action would be taken accordingly, he said.
