The Indian community living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was targeted in a massive protest over the last few days following the gruesome murder of a Congolese national in South Delhi last week, Digital Congo reported.
Two Indians were reportedly injured during the protest when protesters pelted, demanding immediate action against the people responsible for the attack on Olivier Masonga Kitanda last week.
Congo’s Indian community, which mostly consists of shopkeepers, were asked to keep their shops shut till the tension subsides, and police forces have been deployed to control the situation.
29-year-old Olivier was mercilessly beaten to death by three men around 11.30 pm on Friday, after a verbal altercation over the hiring of an auto-rickshaw near Kishangarh village in Vasant Kunj area in south Delhi. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the case while one is on the run.
Official spokesperson and Joint Secretary for Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup commented on the issue during a press conference on Thursday.
It has come to notice of our mission in Kinshasa that some Indian establishments and shops in the commercial areas were attacked on 23 and 25 May as a reaction perhaps to the killing of the Congolese national in New Delhi last Friday. It has also been reported that there were some gun shots fired injuring a couple of Indians living in the area. Our Ambassador took up the matter immediately with the Congolese Foreign Ministry. It was reported that by the end of yesterday (26 May), things has calmed down with no untoward incidents.Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs
Do Not Seek Revenge Against Innocent Indians
Earlier, Congo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antoine Boyamba Okombo, met the Indian Ambassador to the DRC SK Ashok Warrier to express the government’s concerns on the brutal murder.
He appealed to the Congolese people to refrain from violence against Indians living in the country as they had nothing to do with the attack.
I run a message to our countrymen not to attack the Indians who chose DRC as their second homeland and not to plunder their homes and shops because those who live with us have nothing to do with what happened in New Delhi. Our country is at a turning point, we must keep our heads and do not make acts of savagery. If plunders Indian stores, many compatriots who work with them will become unemployed.
He also added that the two countries have always shared a good diplomatic and economic relations and said that India will ensure that justice is served to those responsible for Olivier’s death.
Envoys Agree to Attend Africa Day Celebrations
Despite the prevailing tension, the African envoy decided to attend the Centre’s Africa Day celebrations.
Their response followed External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s assurance that the government is committed to the safety and security of foreign nationals in the country.
The event is being organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Also Read: Sushma Swaraj Assures African Envoys of Their Nationals’ Safety
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