Four African nationals were attacked in Rajpkhurd village of Chhatarpur, South Delhi on Thursday night. The attacks triggered a major diplomatic face-off between India and Africa. (Express photo by Cheena Kapoor) Four African nationals were attacked in Rajpkhurd village of Chhatarpur, South Delhi on Thursday night. The attacks triggered a major diplomatic face-off between India and Africa. (Express photo by Cheena Kapoor)

A week after a man from Congo was beaten to death in Vasant Kunj, seven African nationals were allegedly attacked by a group of 10 men within a span of half-an-hour inside a bylane in south Delhi’s Chhatarpur. The victims — three men and four women — said the attackers hurled racial slurs at them and beat them up with iron rods, sticks, bricks and cricket bats.

The incidents took place in a bylane of Rajpur Khurd village in Chhatarpur Thursday, between 10.30 and 11 pm, said police.

Read | In tense village, locals say ‘they almost asked for it’

In the first case, a scuffle reportedly broke out between Leuchy, a Nigerian national and a group of men. However, Leuchy claimed the group attacked him and his friend without any reason. “After that, they started targeting other African nationals in the locality… it seemed like a pre-planned attack,” said Jason, a Nigerian national.

The second alleged attack was on Kenneth Igbinosa, his wife Kate and the couple’s son, said police. According to Igbinosa, the attackers hit his car with cricket bats and sticks. He said he managed to drive his car out of the lane.

Read | Victims speak up: ‘They were shouting, go back to your country’

The targets of the third attack were Ugandan national Vikky and her brother Pierre. Cameroon nationals Shamira and her friend, who tried to help the duo, said they had to face the wrath of the attackers as well. Shamira claimed the attackers were shouting “go back to Africa”.

Read | Minutes before birthday, man from Congo beaten to death in Vasant Kunj

However, police claimed these were not racial attacks. Several people have been detained, they said.

Three cases have been registered at Mehrauli police station and police are investigating the matter, said DCP (south) Ishwar Singh. “We are trying to identify the attackers and they will be arrested soon,” he said.

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