Govt committed to ensuring safety of all foreigners in India, Africa remains our valued partner: MEA

Delhi:  A day after an attack on African students in Greater Noida, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that the government was committed to ensuring safety and security of all foreigners in India.

MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay added that people from Africa, including students, remained India's 'valued' partners.

Also, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has promised immediate action in the matter.

Swaraj spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after being approached by an African student who pleaded for action describing the situation as "life-threatening".

Four Nigerian students were attacked by a group of Greater Noida residents who took out a candle-light march yesterday after a 17-year-old boy Manish died last week in the NSG Black Cats Enclave due to suspected drug overdose.

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

The protest march was taken out after the police released some Nigerians detained for questioning due to "lack of evidence".

"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.

On the other hand, Daljit Chaudhary, ADG Law and Order, told reporters in Greater Noida, "The police had to use force to dissuade people from attacking and arrested five people from the spot. Many of them who were there trying to play mischief have been identified as the entire event had been video-graphed," as per PTI.

Following the incident, Nigerian High Commission officials went to meet the injured nationals and said they felt "unsafe". 

Meanwhile, five people were arrested in connection with the attacks.

(With Agency inputs)