The Delhi Police on Sunday arrested five persons and apprehended one juvenile for their alleged involvement in the case. “The five have been identified as Babu (32), Kunal (20), Om Prakash (24), Rahul (24) and Ajay (25). The other accused, who is a minor, was apprehended on charges of causing hurt and wrongful confinement,” said Ishwar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).
Investigators said four more persons have been detained and were being questioned in connection with the incident. According to the police, a mob of 15-20 people allegedly four groups of African nationals targeted in areas of Rajpur Khurd village near Chattarpur and Maidan Garhi for playing loud music during late hours and drinking in public on Thursday. This led to a minor scuffle between them and the African nationals suffered minor injuries.
The police added that two cases were registered pertaining to playing loud music and drinking liquor in public places. A police official denied that rods or bats were used in the assaults, saying that the nature of injuries would have been different then. He said one woman had sustained an injury on the nose.
The incident comes close to the heels of an attack on a Nigerian national in Hyderabad and the murder of a Congolese in Delhi. These incidents have raised fear among the Africans living in India and raised government concerns. The incidents have triggered angry reaction by all African countries. Their envoys had unitedly threatened to boycott the Africa Day celebrations of the Indian government last week, before they were persuaded against it.
Singh has condemned the attack and spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma, asking him to take swift and strict action into the matter. "Spoke to Commissioner of Police, Delhi regarding the incidents of physical assault against certain African nationals. Such incidents are condemnable," Singh tweeted.
"Instructed CP Delhi to take strict action against the attackers and increase patrolling in these areas to ensure security of everyone," he said in another tweet.
Prior to that, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted that she had spoken with the Home Minister as well as Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung over the incident, urging them to ensure the security of African nationals living in the city. She said a sensitisation campaign would also be carried out in areas inhabited by African nationals.
"I have spoken to Shri Rajnath Singh ji and Lt Governor Delhi reg(arding) attack on African nationals in South Delhi yesterday. They assured me that the culprits will be arrested soon and sensitisation campaign will be launched in areas where African nationals reside," she tweeted.
"I have asked Gen V K Singh, MoS and Secretary Amar Sinha to meet# African students who have announce(d) demonstration at Jantar Mantar," she added in another tweet. Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA has been in touch with African community following the attacks.
VK Singh, meanwhile, claimed that the attack on African nationals was a "minor scuffle" which the media was "blowing up" and questioned its motives. "Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd," he tweeted.
"Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives," he said.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the government would transport back home the mortal remains of Congolese youth Masunda Kitanda Oliver who was killed earlier this month in a South Delhi area. "In the unfortunate death of Mr Masunda Oliver, the government will assist his family to travel to India to receive his mortal remains. We will also arrange for his mortal remains to be transported to DR Congo at our expense," he said.
Meanwhile, the police have held several meetings with various resident welfare associations in areas inhabited by Africans since Saturday. Addressing one such gathering, DCP Ishwar said, "They have come to our country, they are our guests and friends. They have come here just because they trust us. The way you behave with them will have repercussions on our brothers living outside.” He also cautioned the citizens about repercussion of such incidents in foreign countries as was evident with attack on shops of Indians in by Congolese in their country.