Gujarati community concernes over Kenya development

Mumbai, Jan 2 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over the political violence in Kenya, Bruhad-Mumbai Gujarati Samaj (Gujarati community body of Mumbai) today sought from the Union Government, detailed information about the prevailing situation in the East African country.

''The Gujarati community in Mumbai, Gujarat and elsewhere is deeply shocked and concerned about the safety of the community settled in Kenya in view of the violence in that country,'' the Samaj said in a fax message to Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma.

Stating that the Gujarati community was sure that the government would have taken up the matter with the Kenyan authorities, the Samaj has requested the government to make the detailed information about the real situation available to the people, more particularly to the Gujarati community in Mumbai and Gujarat.

Over 250 people have fallen victim to the political violence in Kenya which has a sizeable Indian population. The violence broke out in the east African nation four days ago over the results of a disputed presidential election.

In the presidential polls, mwai Kibaki narrowly defeated challenger Raila Odinga amid accusations of rigging by both sides.

The government has accused the opposition of ''ethnic cleansing''.

UNI IAS DB SW RN1848