Minor scuffle blown up by media: VK Singh on attack on Africans

NEW DELHI: Union Minister V K Singh today claimed the attack on African nationals in the national capital was a "minor scuffle" which was "blown up" by the media.

"Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on African nationals in Rajpur Khurd," Singh, who is the junior minister in External Affairs Ministry, said and questioned the media's "motive".

"Why is media doing this? As responsible citizens let us question them and their motives," he said in a series of tweets.

There has been a spate of attacks on African nationals in the last few days including killing of a Congolese youth in national capital and assault on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad.

Two women -- one from Uganda and the other from South Africa -- and at least two Nigerian men in Rajpur Khurd, a village in South Delhi, have also complained about physical assault and criminal intimidation.

His remarks came on a day External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj pressed for ensuring safety of African nationals as she spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who directed Delhi Police to take strict action against the attackers and step up patrolling in the areas inhabited by the community.

Swaraj said a sensitization campaign will be carried out in the areas where African nationals reside.

She also asked V K Singh and Secretary in MEA Amar Sinha to meet the African students who have announced holding of a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, four persons were today arrested and four others detained by Delhi Police in connection with alleged assault on African nationals in South Delhi's Mehrauli area.