Attack on Nigerian student: Swaraj takes up issue with CM Rao

New Delhi, May 27: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday took up the issue of an attack on a 23-year-old Nigerian student in Hyderabad with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who promised stringent action against the guilty.

She also sought an urgent report from the Telangana government over the attack which took place amid outrage by African envoys here over the killing of a Congolese youth last week.

Ghazeem, 23, sustained head injuries after a man in his neighbourhood in Singadabasti locality in Banjara Hills area hit him with a rod following a dispute over car parking on Wednesday night.

"I have spoken to Shri K Chandrasekhar Rao Chief Minister Telangana regarding attack on a Nigerian student in Hyderabad," Swaraj said in a tweet.

"He has promised to take an immediate and stringent action against the culprits," she said in another tweet.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Swaraj has also urgently sought a report from the Telangana government on the incident.

"I have also asked Shri Amar Sinha Secretary ER (Economic Relations) of my Ministry to speak to Chief Secretary Telangana and monitor this," Swaraj tweeted.

Envoys of African countries on Thursday had expressed shock over killing of Congolese national Masonda Ketada Oliver here last week following which India assured them of safety of African nationals.

"On reports of a Nigerian student injured in Hyderabad: EAM @SushmaSwaraj has urgently sought report from State Govt, is monitoring the case," Swarup tweeted.

According to Hyderabad police, an argument broke out between Ghazeem, studying in a city college, and Gafoor, a resident of Singadabasti locality, over car parking.

When Ghazeem refused to remove his car from outside Gafoor's residence, a scuffle broke out. After sometime Gafoor took out a rod and hit Ghazeem on his head resulting in injuries, a senior police officer said.

PTI