On a day when the Government tried hard to pacify the African community following attacks on some of them in Delhi, an Indian taxi driver was beaten up by a group of Africans for refusing to carry six people in his cab in South Delhi’s Rajpur Khurd around 4 am on Monday. Incidentally, it was the same locality in which some Africans were attacked by groups of locals in four separate incidents last week.
Cab driver Nuruddin had gone to pick up the African passengers. However, since there were six of them an altercation took place as Nuruddin refused to accommodate all of them in the car, a senior police official said. The group then attacked Nuruddin and ran away. The injured driver, however, managed to take hold of one of them, 26-year-old woman Kefa. She has been arrested. Nuruddin, who sustained injuries on his face, was rushed to AIIMS; and the woman has been detained for questioning. A case has been registered and efforts are on to identify five other accused, the official added.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar assured African students that their safety and security is “an article of faith” for the Indian Government, and steps will be taken to address problems being faced by them. He met a delegation after several Africans staged a protest at Jantar Mantar against attacks on their community members. “Continuing outreach to African community. Foreign Secretary meets a group of African students. Foreign Secretary to students: Ensuring safety and security of foreign students is an article of faith for us. Committed to welfare of our African brothers & sisters,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
The meeting was part of the Government’s damage-control exercise in the wake of assaults on Africans. African students raised concerns over several issues, including better security following the killing of Congolese national Masonda Ketada Oliver a few days ago. They also raised visa related matters and problems in getting accommodation in cities. They also mentioned the need for sensitising the police force while dealing with them. Sources said Jaishankar assured them that India shares their concerns and will take steps to address the problems being faced by them.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said strict action would be taken if attacks on Africans were found to have a racial angle. “We have taken up all the incidents very seriously. Action is being taken and some arrests have already been made,” he said.
Expressing concern over the attacks on Africans, President Pranab Mukherjee said, “Our relationships with African countries are close, always we considered that.”
Separately, Joint Secretary (West Africa) in the MEA Birender Yadav received the family of Oliver at the airport and gave the assurance that the Government would ensure a speedy trial in the case and prosecution of all those responsible for the crime. The MEA told the family that it would bear all expenses related to dispatch of mortal remains of Oliver. Swarup said Oliver’s family members thanked the Indian Government for its assistance. later, the family accompanied by the Ambassador of Congo met Yadav at his office.