African nationals stage protest in India against attacks

NEW DELHI, Tuesday

Several African nationals, mostly students, yesterday staged a protest in the Indian capital New Delhi against an increasing number of attacks on Africans.

“We have gathered to protest the increasing number of racial attacks on our members,” said a protester demanding safety and security for the community. “It is a serious issue and the government needs to take a strict action to stop the attacks.”

The spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup, said the government was trying to reach out to the African community.

“Committed to welfare of our African brothers and sisters,” he wrote on Twitter. “Ensuring safety and security of foreign students is an article of faith for us.”

According to Mr Swarup, India’s foreign secretary met a group of African students during the day.

Indian officials have arrested five people over attacks on six Africans. New Delhi has promised strict action against attackers.

The attacks on African nationals in India has strained relations between African countries and India.

India’s Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday told the media stringent action would be taken if a racial angle was found in any of the cases of attacks on African nationals.

“Government has taken up the matter seriously and some arrests have already been made,” he said.