New Delhi: Union Minister VK Singh today claimed the attack on Africans 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 Africans in Rajpur Khurd," Mr 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 Africans 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 Africans 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.
Ms Swaraj said a sensitisation campaign will be carried out in the areas where Africans reside.
She also asked VK 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.
"Had detailed discussion with Delhi Police and found that media blowing up minor scuffle as attack on Africans in Rajpur Khurd," Mr 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.
Union Minister VK Singh and Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma with village members in Chattarpur.
There has been a spate of attacks on Africans 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.
Village members from South Delhi's Chattarpur meet Union Minister VK Singh and Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma.
His remarks came on a day External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj pressed for ensuring safety of Africans 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.
Advertisement
She also asked VK Singh and Secretary in MEA Amar Sinha to meet the African students who have announced holding of a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Amid Delhi's Water Crisis, Lt Governor Dials Haryana Chief Minister "Serve In Army First": Union Minister Slams Rahul Gandhi's Agniveer Remark "Made A Difficult Decision": General VK Singh Won't Contest 2024 Polls 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel 9 Arrested For Violence At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped-Murdered Assam Cops Find "IED-Like" Material After Terror Group Says It Planted Bombs Will Build Education System So That Youngsters Do Not Go Abroad: PM Modi Over 40,000 Killed In Gaza Amid Raging War, Says Hamas Health Ministry Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.