Indian shops in Congo attacked in backlash

New Delhi, May 26

Indian shops and establishments in Congo’s capital Kinshasa were attacked and gunshots fired injuring two Indians, in apparent backlash against the killing of a Congolese here that had triggered outrage among African envoys.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Indian establishments were targeted on Monday and yesterday in the city’s commercial areas and the Indian Mission in Kinshasa has taken up the issue with the Congo’s Foreign Ministry.

MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said a Note Verbale was issued to the Congo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a copy to the Ministry of Interior and the police authorities to ensure safety of life and property of the Indians residing there.

“It has come to the notice of our mission in Kinshasa that some Indian establishments and shops in the commercial areas were attacked on May 23 and May 25 as a reaction perhaps to the killing of a Congo national in New Delhi last Friday.

“It has also been reported that there were some gunshots fired, injuring a couple of Indians living in the area. Our Ambassador took up the matter immediately with the Congolese Foreign Ministry,” he said.

The attack on Indian establishment in Kinshasa came days after Masonda Ketada Oliver of Congo was killed here. Oliver was beaten to death last week in Delhi following a brawl over hiring of an auto-rickshaw. — PTI