Nigerians Mobbed In India Over Drug Allegations
Manish Khari, 19, died of a suspected drug overdose[/caption]
No fewer than four Nigerians suffered various degree of injuries after a mob attacked them in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India.
The incident which occurred on Monday in Greater Noida‘s Pari Chowk area is the latest report of violence against Africans in the country.
The incident began after a group of locals held a protest demanding that all Africans living in residential colonies in Greater Noida vacate their rented apartments immediately.
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This followed the death of a 19-year-old boy Manish Khari who died of drug overdose. Local residents allege that Khari was kidnapped and forcibly given drugs by some Nigerian nationals.
Five Nigerian students living in the neighbourhood were booked – and later detained – in connection with the case. The students were later released for lack of evidence.
The locals then attacked the Nigerian students, raided their houses and accused them of cannibalism.
Narendra Mishra, a journalist with Times of India, released a video of the assault one of the students. In the video, about 20 young men are seen attacking a defenseless black man.
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The police say around 300 people have been booked for culpable homicide. While 5 have been arrested, 54 accused have been identified from video clips of the incident.
Nigerian students at Noida International University have been advised to stay indoors as more banners asking district authorities to free Greater Noida of Africans continues to grow.
Armed police officials have been deployed at localities inhabited by Nigerian students following the ugly incident.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate NP Singh held a meeting with the members of resident welfare associations and representatives of Nigerian Students Association on Tuesday.
Singh addressed the issue of discrimination and prejudice against African nationals, calling them unacceptable.
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He said: “They have come here to study, the rumours that are spreading need to stop. We should try understanding each other’s culture.
“We’ve been hearing that RWAs are not letting Africans stay, or evicting them we urge you not to do that.”
He added that the district administration will ensure that such incidents do not get repeated in the future and that harmony prevails.
This is coming about a month after Nigerians faced similar attack in South Africa.
