Tanzanian attacked: Sadananda Gowda asks K'taka govt to keep watch on foreign students     

Bengaluru, Feb 5: Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda Friday, Feb 5 asked the Karnataka government to form a special squad to keep a watch on foreign students, in the wake of an alleged assault and stripping of a Tanzanian woman here.

Attacking the Congress-led state government for not acting on locals' complaint regarding the "wrong" behaviour of certain foreign students, Gowda sought Central government's intervention to find the truth about the assault on Sunday night.

He also said that innocent people should not be arrested as was being alleged by the locals. "If state government cannot control law and order situation then it will lead much bigger problem in the days to come. I urge upon the government to constitute a special squad to monitor foreign students," Gowda said.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the family of a woman who was mowed down by a car driven by a Sudanese here, which led to the Tanzanian student being attacked, he said, "I have come to know that more than thousands of students are staying here and functioning even after their Visa having expired."

Holding the state government responsible for the death of the woman, Gowda said government and authorities should have kept a watch on the earlier developments and taken adequate law and order measures.

He also demanded a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family of the victim, pointing out that two children have lost their mother.

A Tanzanian woman student was allegedly beaten up and stripped by a mob in a case of "mistaken identity" after the 35-year old woman was mowed down by a car on Sunday night. The incident has taken a serious diplomatic turn.

A team including the Tanzanian High Commissioner, who is also the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, is visiting Bengaluru today.

The team also includes Joint Secretary (States), Director Eastern and Southern Africa in Ministry of External Affairs and the Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The Tanzanian woman was reportedly dragged out of the car in which she was seated along with her three friends when she reached the accident spot mistaking them to have caused the fatal accident though a Sudanese was involved in it.

City police have so far arrested nine persons in connection with this case.

PTI