The students allege political pressure behind the attacks amid rising tensions between local residents and the foreigners.
“We come to India to live in peace but we will not be bullied by force or violence. The need of the hour is for African students to unite against this blatant racism," said Lawrence, a Nigerian national.
The violence broke out on Sunday after a Class 12 student Manish Khari died because of a suspected drug overdose. Locals alleged that Africans living in the area had plied the youth with drugs and attacked two Nigerians on Sunday night. Police also arrested five Africans but released them later because of a lack of proof.
A day later, a protest march by residents turned violent as people assaulted several Africans at Greater Noida’s busy Pari Chowk. Rumours startled swirling that residents had abducted a Nigerian woman – a speculation denied by police. The waves of violence have left the foreigners rattled.
Most of the victims of the mob attack were doing their evening shopping near Pari Chowk, oblivious to the undercurrent of anger against AfricansPolice arrested five people allegedly involved in the violence. More are likely to be picked up.
Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj has asked for a report from the Uttar Pradesh government about the violence
"We have been living in a sense of fear as there is no protection for us even after the attack,” said Bukola, a commerce student at IEC college.Lawrence said the attacks were well-planned.
"We had assembled at Kasna Police station on Monday morning demanding the release of two students who had been arrested without proper investigation. As soon as the duo got bail and we left the spot, several African nationals were attacked by the local people, said Lawrence.Greater Noida circle officer Abhinandan said:
“This behaviour of people giving a racial tone to an issue is not acceptable. Some anti-social elements joined the peaceful march and resorted to violence. We have videotaped the events and will book each one of them.”
Monday’s attack reflects a growing intolerance against Africans in New Delhi and its satellite cities. At least six Africans were wounded in three separate incidents in Chattarpur area of south Delhi in May last year, prompting external affairs minister Swaraj to take up the issue with home minister Rajnath Singh.
The attacks on the African youth, mostly from Nigeria, happened less than a week after a 23-year-old man from Congo was stoned to death by three people in Kishangarh village near Vasant Kunj.
Indian
Police have arrested five men on Tuesday after hundreds of angry
residents of a north Indian city attacked Nigerian students with sticks
and metal chairs following the death of a local teenager from a
suspected drug overdose.
The attacked Nigerian nationals speaking
Endurance Amalawa, one of the Nigerian students attacked in Greater
Noida, India, has told reporters that no one helped them while they
were being beaten up and claimed that he had no clue why he was
assaulted.
He said he was outside the mall with his brother when they saw an angry mob running towards them. “We kept crying for help, but no one came, not even the security marshals. I was running but they followed me and attacked me,” he said on NDTV television.
“Some people were hitting us, pushing us out… they dragged my brother outside and start hitting him.”
Another Nigerian student who was also attacked said; "We don’t
know why we were assaulted, the mob hit us with rods, bricks and knives.
We asked people around for help, but not one called the police. Even
our colleagues did not help," said the Nigerian national as quoted by ANI.
“The locals look at us like cannibals,” said Presidoe
Okujuna, spokesman for the Association of African Students in India,
which is advising students to avoid classes for their own safety.
“People are scared. They don’t want to come out. They want security for their lives.”
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath has
assured thorough investigation and action over the incident. The UP
government has said that a report will be provided to the Centre on the
incident soon.
"Attack on Nigerian students is a serious issue. Proper probe will be done. Report will be provided to Centre at earliest,” said
UP Minister Siddharth Nath Singh, adding that the police have filed an
FIR and five people have been arrested in connection with the assault on
the Nigerian nationals in Greater Noida on Monday.
The Xenophobic attack all began when Manish Khari, a Class 12
student in Greater Noida, died, reportedly of drug overdose on Friday.
It was reported that the boy was last been seen with five Nigerian
students who lived in the neighbourhood.
Soon after the rumours spread, the locals raided their home and
also accused them of being cannibals. The five Nigerian students were
booked for killing Khari and were later released after the questioning.
External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj intervened into the matter
on Monday night and sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh government
over the attack on the Nigerian national. She also spoke to Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the incident.
Nigerian students have been protesting against murder chargers and
have held mass demonstrations. “Black lives matter,” “We demand
justice,” and “Skin tone is not a crime” were some slogans that were
heard outside the Kasna police station in Greater Noida during a protest
on Sunday.
Watch the video report and the brutal attack on Nigerian students below;
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