People from Africa our valued partner, says govt after attack on Nigerians: 10 Points

MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay . Photo: ANI

GREATER NOIDA: A day after a mob attacked African students in Greater Noida, the Ministry of External Affairs today said the government is committed to ensuring safety and security of all foreigners and people from Africa remain India's valued partners.

• MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said the government is committed to ensuring safety and security of all foreigners in India and people from Africa, including students, remain "our valued" partners.
• Noting that law enforcement authorities of the district have made arrests and are investigating the matter, he said, "They are also taking necessary steps to keep the situation under control."
• Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar spoke to the acting high commissioner of Nigeria here to discuss the steps being taken by the local authorities for safety and security of Nigerian nationals, Baglay said.
• Four Nigerian students were allegedly attacked by residents who took out a candle-light march for a 17-year-old boy who had died last week due to suspected drug overdose.
• Earlier, in a series of tweets, Swaraj said, "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 was 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".
• Five people have been arrested by the police in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the attack.
• The protest march was taken out after police released some Nigerians detained for questioning in connection with the death of the Class 12 student, Manish, in Greater Noida's NSG Black Cats Enclave due to "lack of evidence".
• The boy's parents had alleged that the foreigners had kidnapped him and given him drugs which caused his death.
• Sujata Singh, Superintendent of Police, Greater Noida said the protesters became violent during the march and started beating up the Africans they saw on the road. "They also went to Ansal Mall and caused havoc and beat up Africans there. Police then rescued them and moved them to a safe place," she said.

"Police had to use force to dissuade people from attacking and arrested 5 people from the spot. Many of them who were there trying to play mischief have been identified as the entire event had been videographed. An FIR has been registered and action will be taken accordingly," Daljit Chaudhary, ADG Law and Order, told reporters. The Greater Noida Superintendent of Police said the police had not yet given a clean chit to the Nigerian nationals accused by the victim's parents.