Bengaluru: Hundreds of African students staged a demonstration in Bengaluru demanding safety and security from the government, in the wake of attack on a Tanzanian girl student, who was stripped and mobbed on Sunday. The incident happened shortly after a car, driven by a Sudanese student, fatally ran over a local woman.
The demonstrations were held in the morning and evening at Town Hall and Freedom Park respectively. Many Indian students too joined the protest to express their solidarity. Later at Freedom Park in the evening, a candle vigil was observed to condole the death of Shabana Taj, the 35-year-old victim of Hesaraghatta road accident.
“There are bad elements in all communities, and just because one African’s mistake, it is unfair to attack other innocent Africans and branding all of them as one. The government should provide us safety and security. We are ready to cooperate with the local community members,” said Sougar Hassan, student.
43 Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists held
Around 43 Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) activists were arrested from Hesaraghatta, when they carried out a protest march without seeking prior police permission from 8th Mile to the Saibaba Temple near Sapthagiri College junction, where the accident happened. The protesters wanted revocation of the suspension of the five police officials and release of arrested villagers. They also criticised African students for creating nuisance and drunk driving, leading to accidents.
Seven of those arrested were released, as they were minors and students, but the remaining 36 were formally arrested and produced before a court. They were granted bail after each activist paid Rs 5,000 as surety. “Locals who are born and brought up here have no value anymore and the government is keen on protecting the law-breaking foreigners,” said Praveen Shetty, President, KRV
