Attacks on Africans in India appal AU

Addis Ababa, March 30 : The African Union (AU) on Thursday said it was extremely appalled by the attacks on Nigerian students and a Kenyan woman in India.

The attacks on a Nigerian student took place on Monday night in Greater Noida, some 40 km from the Indian capital, following protests over the death of a Class 12 student of a residential colony there due to drug overdose. 

Some people who were holding a candle-light vigil for the student attacked the Nigerians suspecting them of drug running.

On Wednesday, a Kenyan student in her 20s was dragged out of a cab, also in Greater Noida, by a group of men, and punched and kicked in the abdomen.

The pan-African bloc deplored the violence unleashed during the riot, the AU said in a statement.

The attacks also resulted in the displacement of many Africans from their normal places of residence, thereby putting their lives in serious danger, Xinhua news agency reported.

The AU expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, and wished speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries.

The bloc welcomed the assurances of the Indian government to conduct a "fair and impartial" probe and urged the authorities to expedite the investigations. 

Underlining the long standing bonds of solidarity and cooperation that exist between Africa and India, the AU called on the Indian authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of all African citizens currently living in India.