Racial attacks: Take strict action against culprits, Rajnath to Delhi cops

Sushma Swaraj also said that a sensitization campaign will soon be launched in areas where African nationals reside.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asked Delhi Police Chief Alok Kumar Verma to take strict action against those involved in recent attacks against African nationals. Singh, who had called Verma to his residence, expressed concern over the attacks and said stern action be taken against the perpetrators.

"Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable," the Home Minister said in a tweet after the meeting with Verma.

He asked Delhi Police to increase patrolling in areas inhabited by African nationals and ensure their security. "Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," Singh tweeted.

Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers & increase police patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone

— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) May 29, 2016

In the backdrop of cases of assault on African nationals and outrage by envoys of African countries over killing of a Congolese youth, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today spoke to Singh and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung to ensure safety of the community and strict action against the guilty.

"I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon," Swaraj tweeted.

I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday./1

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016

In the wake of attacks on African nationals in Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said she spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and was assured that the culprits will be arrested soon.

"I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon," Swaraj tweeted.

I have spoken to Shri Raj Nath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday./1

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 29, 2016

She also said that a sensitization campaign will soon be launched in areas where African nationals reside.

Earlier today, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that it would arrange the transportation of Masunda Oliver, the African national who was brutally killed in the national capital, back to his home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Read: After Congolese youth killing, six Africans in Delhi beaten up in 30 mins

"In the unfortunate death of Mr. Masunda Oliver, the Government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense.

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 29, 2016

Envoys of African countries on Thursday had expressed shock over killing of Oliver here last week following which India assured them of safety of African nationals.

As African envoys reacted sharply to Oliver's killing, three cases of physical assault and criminal intimidation of African nationals in south Delhi were registered by the police.

Read: 'Sought help but no one came forward,' African lady recalls racial attack horror

Police attributed two of the incidents to locals raising objection to the African nationals' playing loud music during late night, and the other to objection raised against a group of Africans consuming alcohol in public.

All three incidents had taken place on Thursday in areas under the jurisdiction of Mehrauli Police Station. The complainants in Thursday's cases include two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men, police said.

In a separate incident, a 23-year-old Nigerian student was attacked in Hyderabad on Wednesday night over dispute over parking.

Swaraj had taken up the issue with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who promised stringent action against the guilty. She had also sought an urgent report from the Telangana government over the attack.

(This story originally appeared in the deccan Chronicle as may the case be)