Death of Congo student was not a racial attack, people at the spot tried to save him: Sushma Swaraj

Addressing a delegation of African students, Swaraj told them that the death of Congo student is not a case of racial attack.

In the wake of the recent attacks on African nationals in the country, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday met African students to assure them of their safety and security in India.

During a meeting with the delegation of African students, Swaraj said, "We held a meeting with African students and told them the incident of death of Congo national is unfortunate and painful for us, but it is not a case of racial attack and should not be seen in that context."

A 23-year-old Congolese national Masonda Ketada Olivier was recently beaten to death after a verbal altercation over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw in Vasant Kunj area of south Delhi.

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Stating that being a mother she could understand the pain of the parents of the Congo student (Oliver) who lost their son on foreign soil, Swaraj added, "The day this incident took place, I sought a report from the Lt Governor and I was informed that two people have been arrested. CCTV footage clearly shows that Indian citizens who were present at the spot, tried their best to save Oliver."

Swaraj also said that the government has chalked out a plan as per which, Ministers of States along with Secretaries would visit every metro city and hold discussions with African students.

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"We will initiate programs of awareness & sensitisation in areas with max population of African students, so that such incidents don't recur," she added.

There has been a series of attacks on African nationals in the last few weeks, including killing of the Congolese youth and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad.

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Five persons have so far been arrested in connection with the attacks.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-attack-on-africans-death-of-congo-student-painful-but-not-racial-says-sushma-swaraj-2218394