New Delhi: Some shops owned by Indians in Congo were attacked in reaction to the brutal killing of a Congolese national in New Delhi, the foreign ministry said on Thursday. Some Indian nationals were injured in the attack, ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on May 26.
“Our embassy in Congo in touch with local authorities and as of now things have calmed down,” Swarup said, adding, “India’s relations with Congo go back many years. Thousands of African students continue to benefit from the Indian education system and we will ensure full safety to them.”
Mid May, some men bludgeoned to death M K Oliver in south Delhi’s Vasanth Kunj area after after altercation with some men over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw.
Eritrean ambassador Alem Tsehage Woldemariam said Oliver and his friend Samuel had gone to meet another friend, and while on their way back, he flagged down an auto-rickshaw which stopped a few meters away. However, as he tried to board it, three men standing nearby boarded it. An argument ensued following which Oliver was hit on the head with a brick, leading to his death.
The African diplomatic community decided to stay away from this year’s Africa Day celebrations seeking strong action on the part of the Indian government.
C”mon somebody”s child is dead here… Y do u need to side the killer just because u r an Indian? It’s not about the racism but the murder that took place must be dealt in. Still narrow minded people are here.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj then stepped in to assure the community. “I would like to assure African students in India that this was an unfortunate and painful incident involving local goons,” Sushma tweeted on Wednesday.
Swaraj also said that Union minister Gen VK Singh will meet the heads of missions of African countries in Delhi and assure them of Indian government’s commitment to the safety and security of African nationals in India.