New Delhi, May 30 (IANS) The family members of a Congolese national who was beaten to death over a minor dispute earlier this month arrived in the Indian capital on Monday, and were met by a senior official of the external affairs ministry at the airport.
The family members of Masonda Ketada Olivier, 29, were also told that the Indian government would bear all expenses related to ferrying home the victim's mortal remains.
"Joint Secretary (West Africa) Birender Yadav met the family members (cousins) of deceased DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) national Olivier at the airport and conveyed heartfelt condolences," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
Olivier was beaten to death by three youths around 11.30 p.m. on May 20 after a verbal altercation over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw near Kishangarh village in Vasant Kunj area of south Delhi.
Two of the accused have been arrested while the third is on the run.
Olivier had come to India on a student visa and had recently got himself a job as a teacher.
Swarup also said that Olivier's kin would be coming to meet Yadav in his office later on Monday along with ambassador of the DRC.
The ambassador was also present at the airport with four other embassy officials.
"Joint secretary (West AFrica) conveyed that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has already requested for fast trial of the case and we would ensure that all three (accused) are prosecuted as per law of the land," Swarup said.
"Family members thanked for the help rendered," he added.
The attack on the Congolese national and other similar attacks has caused outrage among African envoys in India, who had last week decided to boycott an Africa Day event. The envoys later came round after the Indian government held a meeting with them to assure them of protection of African nationals.
Sushma Swaraj has been personally monitoring the outreach to the African community.
