Home » National News » Congo student murder: Top developments as Sushma Swaraj assures security for African nationals
 
SPEED NEWS

Congo student murder: Top developments as Sushma Swaraj assures security for African nationals

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 25 May 2016, 15:26 IST

In the wake of the brutal murder of a Congolese youth in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj on 20 May, a group of African Heads of Mission refused to be a part of the Centre's Africa Day celebrations scheduled to be held on 26 May in the national capital.

Following which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has asked her colleague and Minister of State for External Affairs General (Retd.) VK Singh to meet the heads of mission of African countries in the national capital and assure them of the government's commitment to safety and security of African nationals in India.

Here's what we know so far:

- A 23-year-old Congolese national, a resident of the of Delhi's South Extension area, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of men in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area, late on 20 May.

- The African diplomatic community released a statement saying that they are boycotting this year's Africa Day celebrations. Firstpost quoted dean of the Group of African Heads of Mission, Eritrean Ambassador Alem Tsehage Woldemariam as saying, "The Group of African Heads of Mission have met and deliberated extensively on this latest incidence in the series of attacks to which members of the African community have been subjected to in the last several years."

- In their statement, Woldermariam reportedly said that the youth boarded an auto with his friend when three unidentified men stopped the vehicle and boarded it. This led to an argument between the men and the African youth following which he was beaten to death.- The state also condemned the incident and said that considering the treatment meted out to African nationals in the city, it is difficult for them to send new students to India.

- They requested the Indian government to take immediate action and guarantee the safety of the students.

- Sushma Swaraj soon released a statement on Twitter saying that her colleague VK Singh would meet African envoys and assure complete safety of the African nationals in the city. She also said, "When I came to know about the unfortunate killing of a Congo national in Delhi, we directed stringent action against the culprits."

- She is also likely to hold meetings with the African students in metro cities and assure them of safety and security and further requested State governments to make sure Commissioners of Police attended all such meetings.

- The government will also launch a sensitisation program to reiterate that such incidents against foreign nationals embarrass the country.

--With ANI inputs

First published: 25 May 2016, 13:32 IST