Federation of International Students Association Pune condemns attack on two African students in Roorkee

Pune/Roorkee, 17 July 2020: The Federation of International Students Association Pune (FISA-P) has condemned the brutal attack on African students in Roorkee Institute of Technology (RIT) in Uttarakhand State. FISA-P works for the welfare of international students in Pune and also the bridge between the international students and the relevant authorities.

Two students Benjamin Djartey from Ghana and Ibrahim Diaby from Guinea were brutally attacked and beaten in RIT institute by security guards, in the presence of the college authorities. Both are an engineering student at the college. “This is heartbreaking and it saddens us. Such unprofessional and shameful behaviour are unacceptable. The repeated attacks and assaults against any foreign students in India, especially in under the care of educational institutions where they are supposed to feel safe is unacceptable and must be addressed accordingly. The Indian government must tackle this matter through deterrent law, and stress in this regard to ensure this does not happen again”, the organisation issued a statement through Facebook.

Meanwhile, Roorkee Police have arrested eight more accused based on video footage in the case. Till now 16 accused in the case have been arrested including the college director. Bhim Army activists today created a ruckus at the college gate to protest against the incident.

The activists insisted on the arrest of the chairman and the burning of the effigy outside the college gate. During this time they also broke the barricading. After this, the police chased away the mob and resorted to lathi-charge in which a young man was injured. There was tension in the area for two hours. Police arrested eight security personnel today evening. The incident took place at RIT in Puhana in Bhagwanpur police station area.

Station in-charge Sanjeev Thapliyal said that action has been taken on the basis of video footage. Police identified the accused arrested today as Akash, Suraj, Gaurav, Shubham, Vishal, Shubham, Kranti. The officer said that the other accused involved in the case will also be arrested soon.

According to police, both the students live in hostels near the college campus. Both students went out without an outpass on Tuesday. This had angered the college management and security personnel who stopped them at the gate. At that time, the matter was settled. It is alleged that an attempt was made to get both the students out of the hostel on Wednesday. When the students protested, both were beaten up and dragged by college management officials and security personnel following which both foreign students were injured.

Ibrahim was admitted to the hospital. Based on a complaint from the students, police registered FIR against college chairman SK Gupta, vice chairman Sangat Aggarwal, college director Parag Jain, college registrar Munendra Chauhan, assistant deputy CEO Srikanth, besides college security personnel Sonu, Khushiram, Yogesh, Lalit, Ashish, and private guards. Police arrested Director Parag Jain, Registrar Munendra Chauhan, Assistant Deputy CEO Shrikant, security personnel Sonu, Khushiram, Yogesh, Lalit, Ashish.

Police said that the college authorities have told them that both students were rusticated from the college about a week ago for allegedly violating lockdown rule as they were always coming and going out of the hostel. The guards had gone to remove the two students from the hostel on Wednesday which led to the altercation. Police investigating is still going about the incident.

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