New Delhi: In the backdrop of recent attacks on African students in the national capital, Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma on Monday met a delegation of Africans here and assured them of prompt action for their safety, in the wake of a series of attacks on Africans in the city.
The delegation was assured that Delhi Police has taken steps for the safety of Africans in the city and was briefed about the meetings of police all over Delhi with members of the African community, especially after the murder of a Congolese national on May 20 this year.
In a series of tweet Delhi Police gave information regarding the meet:
CP, Delhi met representatives of African Nationals at PHQ 2day, heard their grievances, promised prompt action & assured thm of their safety
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) May 30, 2016
African Nationals were apprised of meetings held with RWA/MWA & efforts to sensitize them about problems being faced by African Nationals.
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) May 30, 2016
R.P. Upadhyaya, Jt.CP/SER has been made Nodal Officer to interact with representatives of African Nationals 2 address their grievances (1/2)
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) May 30, 2016
The reps of African Nationals have been requested to dial 100 in emergency or 8750871111, a dedicated number for foreign nationals.(2/2)
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) May 30, 2016
"The delegation was apprised that Delhi Police have organised several meetings where people from African and Indian communities were present together so that the level of understanding between them can be increased. They were also advised not to take law into their hands," a police statement said.
"While interacting with the Africans, they have been requested to contact local police whenever they feel uncomfortable or see any act of crime getting perpetrated on them or if they have any apprehension," the statement added.
The meeting between Verma and the African delegation was held at Delhi Police headquarters on Monday afternoon. The Special Police Commissioners (Law and Order), Joint Police Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of Police were present.
Joint Commissioner of Police (south-eastern range) RP Upadhyay has been appointed as nodal officer.
"The representatives of Africans were requested to call 100 or 8750871111, a dedicated Helpline for foreigners, in emergency," the statement said.
The delegation was also apprised about intensified police patrolling in areas where the African community is present.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar also assured a group of African students that the Indian government is committed to ensuring their safety and security even as an Ola driver was allegedly thrashed by a group of Africans after he refused to take more than four passengers in his cab.
The Ola taxi driver, identified as Nooruddin Ali, suffered cuts and bruises near his left eye in the attack.
President Pranab Mukherjee also said that he was "pained" by the recent attacks.
In a related development, the family members of Congolese national Masonda Ketada Olivier, who who beaten to death on May 20 by some locals over a minor altercation, arrived in the Indian capital to take back the mortal remains. A senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs was there at the airport to receive the kin.
A group of African students also held a protest at Jantar Mantar here, holding aloft placards that read 'Racism Ruins Lives', and demanded that the Indian government act swiftly to stop attacks on the community.
On Tuesday, a two-hour peaceful protest demonstration has been planned at the same venue by the Association of African Students in India (AASI) and Association For Community Research and Action (ACRA). External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State VK Singh are expected to meet African students here on Tuesday to assure them of safety and security.
The spate of attacks on Africans has caused outrage among the community, as several thousands of Africans study in India. The African envoys last week threatened to boycott the Africa Day event over the murder of Congolese national MK Olivier.
On May 28, four separate cases of alleged assault on Africans were reported in the national capital.
(With Agency inputs)
