A Tanzanian woman student was allegedly beaten up and stripped by a mob in a case of “mistaken identity” by a mob in Bengaluru. The Tanzanian girl was mowed down by a car, prompting authorities of the East African country to raise the matter with India.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj responded to the news on Twitter.
The 21-year-old Tanzanian, who is doing her Bachelor of Business Management course, was dragged out of the car she was in, with three other friends. The car was stopped by the mob shortly after they reached the accident spot on Sunday night, according to All African Students Union in Bengaluru.
As she tried to board a slow-moving bus to escape the mob, she was pushed out it, according to the Union’s Legal Adviser Bosco Kaweesi. The woman’s three friends were also allegedly beaten up.
Official sources in New Delhi said the High Commission of Tanzania has sent a Note Verbale to the External Affairs Ministry about the reported attack, requesting it to take necessary legal action against the guilty.
Siddaramaiah’s Next Step
Swaraj said Siddaramaiah informed her that a criminal case has been registered and four accused have been arrested. The sources said the Joint Secretary in MEA’s East and Southern Africa Division has spoken to the High Commissioner of Tanzania and expressed regret.
The Tanzanian Embassy requested the government to ensure safety and security of all students from the African continent in India. The Joint Secretary told the Tanzanian High Commissioner that the Ministry is in regular touch with the authorities in Bengaluru. The joint secretary added, the state authorities have said they have taken action to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
According to Bengaluru police, the complaint by the Tanzanian girl was filed only on Wednesday, even though incident happened on Sunday. Kaweesi said she had no connection with the accident and alleged the police “was not so helpful” when they were approached.
Police Commissioner NS Megharikh said that after the accident, which claimed the life of a 35-year old woman, the driver of the car was assaulted and he was taken to hospital.
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