Nigerian issue: Swaraj speaks to UP CM, promises action; 5 people arrested

Image: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj/ PTI-File

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Tuesday about the alleged attack on African students in Noida after a foreign student pleaded with her for swift action, saying living in the area was becoming a "life threatening" issue. Meanwhile cops have arrested five people; FIR registered against nine, Swaraj said the central government was taking immediate action and that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had assured her of a fair and impartial investigation into this "unfortunate" incident. "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 said in a series of tweets. 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", she said that the central government was seized of the matter. "We are taking immediate action," she added. External Affairs Minister sought information from the Uttar Pradesh government over the arrest of some African nationals for their alleged role in the death of a class 12th student in Noida. According to media reports, five Nigerian students were picked by the police for their role in the death of the class 12th student reportedly due to drug overdose on March 25.