African students thrashed, Sushma Swaraj seeks report from UP govt

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, on 28 March, sought information from the Uttar Pradesh government over the arrest of African students for their alleged role in the death of a class 12 student in Greater Noida.

The incident happened when a protest march by locals over the death of the class 12 student turned violent. Several Nigerians were reportedly beaten up by the mob.

"I have asked for a report from Government of Uttar Pradesh about the reported attack on African students in Noida," Swaraj said in a tweet.

Locals blamed Africans for drugging Manish Khari. The 17-year-old student, who died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday, had reportedly overdosed on drugs. 2 Nigerians were among others who were out shopping when the mob attacked them, after a peaceful protest turned violent. Police had to resort to baton charge to bring the situation under control. Three Nigerians have been admitted in a hospital in Greater Noida.

According to reports, five Nigerian students have been picked up by the police for their alleged role in the death of the student. An investigation is currently under way to find out about the reported use of drugs.

The attack on Africans in Greater Noida is not an isolated case. There have been several incidents of Africans being targeted in Delhi over the last few years.

--PTI