African students attacked; CM assures impartial probe

Noida, March 28 (IANS) A day after an attack on African students in Greater Noida, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi had promised a "fair and impartial" probe.

"I have spoken to Adityanathji about (the) attack on African students in Greater Noida. He has assured that there will be a fair and impartial investigation into this unfortunate incident," Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

Sushma Swaraj spoke to Adityanath on Tuesday morning after an African student, Sadiq Bello, tweeted her to "act fast" as living in Noida, he said, was becoming a "life threatening issue" for Africans.

According to police, four African students were attacked by a group of residents in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

"One African national was attacked in Ansal Plaza Mall while three more were attacked at different places near Pari Chowk in Greater Noida. The African students were attacked after protests over the death of Manish Khari, a Class 12 student in Greater Noida's NSG Society," Superintendent of Police Sujata Singh told IANS.

Khari reportedly died of cardiac arrest due to suspected drug overdose on Saturday.

Singh said three FIRs had been registered against seven people for rioting. "A few of them have been detained while a hunt is on for the others."

She added the deceased may have been depressed.

According to the police, Khari had gone missing on Friday evening and was found in an intoxicated state near his residence on Saturday.

"He was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment. His family later lodged a complaint against five Nigerian nationals, accusing them of drugging Khari," Singh told IANS.

On Monday, the kin and neighbours of the deceased conducted a candlelight march from NSG Society to Pari Chowk, demanding the arrest of the accused.

"The march turned violet when the protesters spotted three Nigerians and beat them up. They also vandalised cars and other vehicles," Singh said.