Attack on Nigerian students in Greater Noida: Hundreds booked, 5 arrested
A mob attacked four Nigerian students at a mall in Greater Noida following the news of death of a teenager. Locals claimed that the 19-year-old died of drug overdose and was last seen with a group of Nigerians.
In Short
- Greater Noida police arrests 5, books over 1000 people after a mob thrashes Nigerian students.
- Incident took place after a teenager was found dead. Locals claimed he died of drug overdose.
- Manish Khari, 19, was spotted with a group Nigerian people before his death.
The Greater Noida police has booked over 1000 people and arrested five in connection with some Nigerian nationals being thrashed by locals in the city following the death of a teenager. Locals claimed that Manish Khari, 19, died due to drug overdose and held a few Nigerians responsible for the incident.
An FIR has been lodged against nine people and around 300 have been booked for culpable homicide. While 5 have been arrested, 54 accused have been identified from video clips of the incident.
Four Nigerians were beaten up by a mob on Monday at a mall in Greater Noida following the news of Khari's death. Locals claimed to have seen him last with a group of Nigerians.
Local residents allege Khari was kidnapped and forcibly given drugs by some Nigerian nationals.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar has spoken to Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria and apprised him of steps being taken by the local authorities for safety of Nigerian nationals.
NIGERIAN STUDENTS ASKED TO STAY INDOORS
Banners asking district authorities to free Greater Noida of Nigerians have come up at important places across the city, even as the Nigerian students are forced to stay indoors following Monday's incident.
The district administration has deployed PAC (Armed Police) at localities inhabited by the Nigerian students after the incident.
Several Nigerian students, who study in colleges, universities spread across Greater Noida skipped their classes today.
India Today caught up with two of them. Aliyu, a final year MSc Chemistry student at Noida International University, said that a friend who called him and warned from venturing out was beaten up by a mob.
"We have been asked to stay indoors. We can't even go to the balcony...we are scared to step out. Police have told us not to go out for next couple of days," Aliyu told India Today.
"I have been facing 'immoral' behaviour ever since I came here. People pointing fingers, laughing at us...what happened yesterday is unfortunate...why generalise everyone.We have lot of Indians back in Nigeria...if they see we are being attacked..there may be reactions,"he added.
Abdul, a BSc student told India Today," I am too scared to go out of my house. I came here in September last year. I think I should return back to my country. I am planning my tickets. I don't want to stay here anymore."
'NO HATE CRIME'
The district administration has refused to describe the incident as hate crime. "It happened in the spur of the moment, it was not pre-planned," Nagendra Prasad Singh, District Magistrate of Greater Noida said.
He said that the administration is holding a meeting of local RWAs, colleges and Nigerian students' representatives to maintain peace in the area.
SUSHMA SWARAJ SPEAKS TO UP CM ADITYANATH
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the incident and said the UP chief minister has assured her of "fair and impartial" probe.
"I have spoken to Yogi Adityanath ji Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh about attack on African students in Greater Noida. He has assured that there will be a fair and impartial investigation into this unfortunate incident," Swaraj said in her tweets.
WATCH: Nigerians attacked: 5 held, Sushma Swaraj seeks report from UP CM Adityanath
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