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Congo student's murder: African community seeks strong action; Swaraj says committed to their safety

Sushma Swaraj said that the government will launch a sensitization program to reiterate that incidents against foreign nationals embarrass the country.

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External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said she has asked her colleague and Minister of State for External Affairs General (Retd.) VK Singh to meet the heads of missions of African countries in the national capital and assure them of the government's commitment to safety and security of African nationals in India.

Swaraj's remarks came after the African diplomatic community in India decided to boycott this year's Africa Day celebrations over safety of its nationals, and is seeking strong action against the killing of a Congolese student in New Delhi last week.

According to IANS, "The Group of African Heads of Mission have met and deliberated extensively on this latest incidence in the series of attacks to which members of the African community have been subjected to in the last several years," said Eritrean Ambassador Alem Tsehage Woldemariam, who is also dean of the Group of African Heads of Mission, in a statement.

Taking to micro-blogging site, EAM Swaraj said, "I have asked my colleague Gen V.K. Singh to meet the heads of missions of African countries in Delhi and assure them of Indian Government's commitment to the safety and security of African nationals in India," she tweeted.

"I have already asked Lt Governor of Delhi to take steps and ensure that this case is tried by a Fast Track Court. Shri Najeeb Jung Lt Governor Delhi has assured me that he will take immediate action in this regard," she added.

"We will request State Governments to depute Commissioners of Police in all such meetings. We will also launch a sensitization program to reiterate that such incidents against foreign nationals embarrass the country," she added.

Earlier on May 21, the Delhi Police detained one person in connection with the murder case.

23-year-old Oliva was on his was home when he got into an argument with three to four persons. The argument later led to a fight after which the African youth was chased and beaten with sticks and stones.

He was then rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

The police have launched a probe into the matter and are trying to ascertain whether the attack was racially motivated, a fight turning ugly, a robbery attempt or a case of personal enmity.

The cops are also looking for any CCTV footage that might have recorded this brutal act.

(With ANI Inputs)

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