A Delhi Police team that went to South Delhi’s Neb Sarai Saturday to apprehend three Nigerian nationals, whose visas had expired, was allegedly surrounded and attacked by a group of 100 men. Amid the clash, two of the persons who had been detained managed to escape.
Visuals from the spot show a group of young men and women clashing with the police team. Police are seen pulling the detainees, while the youths push and shout at them. The officers are seen trying to make a human chain and attempting to stop the locals using their lathis.
#Watch | Mob attacks Delhi Police after they detain Nigerians for ‘overstaying’
Police said they had sent a narcotics cell team to complete deportation proceedings of three Nigerians who had been “overstaying” in the country. Around 2.30 pm, they apprehended the three but were allegedly stopped by others.
DCP (South) Chandan Chowdhary said, “The team was trying to bring them to the police station but suddenly, about 150-200 people from various African countries gathered there and obstructed the team. In the meantime, two of those detained managed to escape. One was successfully apprehended later.”
Officials alleged the group manhandled them and forced them to leave while “obstructing” their duties. Police entered the area again around 6.30 pm to detain four more people for “overstaying”. They said they were again allegedly surrounded by 100-150 people and stopped from making an arrest.
An officer, who was with the team on Saturday, said, “We have been instructed to initiate a drive against people who are staying illegally in the country. We have documents to prove their visa has expired or they have no visa, but locals started shouting at us. They attacked us and helped the two men flee. We only want to deport them as they are not studying or working here and are overstaying their visit.”
A total of five people were detained, while two managed to escape. No action has been initiated against the locals so far. Police said they are looking into the matter and will register a case.
Locals, however, alleged police were detaining people without issuing a notice, and harassing other people from African countries. They also said the allegations of them manhandling and attacking the team are false and that they only held a protest.
Emmanuel (30), a student from Kenya, said, “I was walking back home when I saw over 10 policemen trying to detain a few people. I got scared. Most of us get picked up for no reason. My friend and I asked the police team about it, but they started pushing us. We didn’t do anything. The police came twice a day and threatened everyone. Many of the immigrants are poor and can’t afford to extend visas. We wish someone would support us…”
A woman, who hails from Somalia and works at an export services company, claimed, “Many of us are actually trying to study here and have a decent job, but nobody sees us that way. My brother and I try to stay away from trouble…” The woman’s family has been staying in Delhi and Mumbai for four years.
According to data from the South district police, over 53 people from African countries have been apprehended and deported in the last two-three months.
