Govt committed to safety of African nationals in India: Sushma Swaraj

VK Singh has been directed to meet the heads of missions of African countries.

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

Swaraj's remark comes in wake of the brutal murder of a Congolese youth in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj on May 20.

"I have asked my colleague Gen VK Singh to meet the heads of missions of African countries in Delhi and assure them of Indian Government's commitment to the safety and security of African nationals in India," she tweeted.

When I came to know about the unfortunate killing of a Congo national in Delhi, we directed stringent action against the culprits.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 25, 2016

She further stated that the Minister of State for External Affairs would also hold meetings with the African students in metro cities and assure them of safety and security.

"We will request State Governments to depute Commissioners of Police in all such meetings. We will also launch a sensitization program to reiterate that such incidents against foreign nationals embarrass the country," she added.

I would like to assure African students in India that this an unfortunate and painful incident involving local goons.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 25, 2016

Earlier on May 21, the Delhi Police detained one person in connection with the murder case.

23-year-old Oliva was on his was home when he got into an argument with three to four persons. The argument later led to a fight after which the African youth was chased and beaten with sticks and stones.

He was then rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

The police have launched a probe into the matter and are trying to ascertain whether the attack was racially motivated, a fight turning ugly, a robbery attempt or a case of personal enmity.

The cops are also looking for any CCTV footage that might have recorded this brutal act.