Africans advised not to step out without police escorts
CONFIDENCE BUILDING Police tell members of African community that they should avoid travelling alone, say measures temporary
GREATERNOIDA: Africans staying in Greater Noida should not step out of their houses, even to buy essential commodities, without a police escort, according to an advisory issued by the Gautam Budh Nagar district police.
Police have restricted the movement of African students and working professionals staying in Greater Noida in the wake of the recent race riots, in order to ensure their safety.
The development has come after a Kenyan national was allegedly attacked on Wednesday morning near her house in Greater Noida.
“Africans should avoid going to market places and colleges alone. Even if they have to buy essential commodities, they must inform the police about their movement and they must go in groups. They should avoid travelling alone,” said Abhinandan, assistant superintendent of police, Greater Noida I.
However, the police said that it is a temporary arrangement until the volatile situation is defused.
“We will take strict action against policemen who will not be present on the spot to escort the Africans,” said Abhinandan.
On being asked whether there are sufficient police personnel to escort every African staying in Greater No ida, Ab hi nan dan said, “We are getting special forces tomorrow (on Thursday) and they will be deployed along with local cops.”
On Wednesday, Kenyan national Maria Burendi, was attacked by unknown people, when she was on her way to Astonia Apartments in Sector Pi.
For the past three days, the African community has been facing alleged racial attacks by the local residents. The problem started after 17-year-old Manish Khari died allegedly due to drug overdose.
Following the attack on Burendi, there has been increased pressure on the administration to provide safety to foreign nationals in the district.
Taking cognisance of the escalating tension, Greater Noida police held a ‘confidence building’ meeting with Africans at Astonia Apartments.
ASP Abhinandan along with station house officers (SHOs) of Kasna and Knowledge Park police stations were present at the meeting.
The police officials assured the Africans that they will be provided adequate security.
However, the African students seemed unhappy with the police arrangements.
“Even after so much, police haven’t provided sufficient security and today’s attack has proved it. We need more policemen to give us security,” said Abdul Wahim, a resident of Astonia.