Govt. in damage control mode as Swaraj to meet African students today

In wake of the recent attacks on the African nationals, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is set to meet African students to assure them of their safety and security in India.

The Indian Government had yesterday assured the family members of African national Masunda Oliver, who was brutally killed in the national capital, that speedy trial would take place in the case and all the three accused would be prosecuted as per law of the land.

Birender Yadav, Joint Secretary (West Africa), who met the family members of Oliver at the airport, offered his heartfelt condolences and informed that the Indian government would bear all the expenses to dispatch his mortal remains back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Expressing "deep" concern over attacks on African nationals here, President Pranab Mukherjee had yesterday said it is "not tolerable" as India's relationship with African countries is close, and always we considered.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju earlier in the day had dubbed the recent attacks as 'unfortunate'.

Rijiju said the government will try its best to avoid such episodes in the future.

"After what has happened with the African students in Delhi, we are holding regular meetings to come up with ways to sensitize the local populace," Rijiju said.

"Arrests have already been made and the foreign ministry is also looking into the matter along with us. I also had a meeting with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the same," he added.

A week after the killing of a Congolese man in the national capital that stirred a diplomatic row and instigated violence against Indians in Congo, four attacks on African nationals by the residents in Chattarpur were reported on Friday.

Five people were arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the four attack incidents on the African nationals on Sunday. The African nationals had sustained minor injuries in the attack that took place in South Delhi's Mehrauli area on Friday.

he accused have been arrested are identified as- Babu (32), Kunal (20), Om Prakash (24), Rahul alias Rocky (24) and Ajay (25). The police are carrying out search operations to nab the other accused persons.

On Sunday, Swaraj spoke to Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung about the attacks and said she was assured that the culprits would soon be arrested.

"They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," she tweeted.