India conveys concern to Germany over assault of its nationals

NEW DELHI: India has formally conveyed its concern to Germany over the suspected racist attack on some of its nationals there two days back and sought an investigation into the incident.

The matter was taken with the German government by the Indian Embassy in Berlin, with a request that steps be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

"We have taken up the matter with the German authorities," Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar told from Berlin.

She said the issue was taken up after reports appeared in German press on Monday about eight Indians being attacked by a group of 50 locals in a village in East Germany.

"As soon as we saw the report, we formally took up the matter with the German government, through the Foreign Office, conveying our concern and requesting the authorities to investigate and take action to address the issue," Shankar said.

The Embassy is in touch with the German government.

The incident was triggered by a scuffle at a dance floor. As a big group started attacking them, the Indians sought shelter in a pizza parlour run by a fellow countryman. Some of the Germans forced open the doors of the building and beat them up.

The Indians are mostly merchants who sell goods at open markets in the region.