Indians Attacked In Congo After Congolese Man's Killing In Delhi: Foreign Ministry

New Delhi: Indians have been injured in clashes and their shops have been attacked in the Congo, the government said today, in what is seen as a backlash after the lynching of a Congo national last week.

"Some shops of Indians in Congo have been attacked and some Indians have been injured by gunshots, possibly in reaction to the murder of the Congolese student in Delhi," foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said today.

There are around 5,000 Indians in the country.

NDTV had shown a video from Congo capital Kinshasa of an Indian shopkeeper being led away by the police for protection while a large number of people were heard shouting. Indians have been asked to keep their shops closed.

The government has moved swiftly to calm African nations who announced their boycott of "Africa Day" celebrations in Delhi expressing anger over the killing of 29-year-old Masonda Ketada Olivier on Friday.

Heads of missions of African states had asked the government to put off the Africa Day event today, saying that India must solve the problem of "racism and Afro-phobia" first.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Thursday that India was committed to the safety and security of African nationals in India.

The African envoys said with the "pervading climate of fear and insecurity", they may recommend to their governments not to send new students to India unless their safety is guaranteed.

Masonda Ketada Olivier was beaten to death in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj, allegedly over an argument over hiring an auto-rickshaw. Two of the accused have been arrested and one is missing.

African diplomats said several attacks have gone unresolved "without diligent prosecution" and the government must take urgent steps to guarantee the safety of Africans.