India says attacks on Africans unfortunate

The recent attacks on Africans have raised concerns about the safety of foreigners in India.

On March 27, a mob in New Delhi attacked several African students alleging that five African students were involved in the drug trade and an overdose had caused the death of the youth.

The police arrested the five but had to release them due to a lack of evidence.

Two days later, an African woman, identified as Burendi, who was returning home after meeting a friend, was allegedly attacked at around 4.30 am. The woman claimed that the driver of the cab, in which she was travelling, beat and kicked her in the abdomen without any prodding.

Though the woman did not file a case, the police registered one and has taken up investigations to identify and nab the attackers.

Terming the incidents of attacks on African students as unfortunate, the government said that external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will make a statement on this in Parliament.

This was after Nigeria summoned the Indian High Commissioner asked India to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.

It was not the first time that Africans have faced attacks.

A Congolese man was beaten to death in Delhi last year.

Prior to that, a Tanzanian woman was attacked in Bengaluru.

A year before, six Africans were beaten up by a mob in New Delhi.