Indian Twitter is standing by Nigerian students facing racial violence

Indians on social media have come out in support of Nigerian students who faced racial attacks in a Greater Noida shopping mall on Monday.

They have called out the inherent racism in the country and expressed shock and disappointment at the brutality meted out to these students who have been accused of cannibalism after a local student's death last week.

Meanwhile, the Association of African Students in India has, in a Facebook post, advised Nigerian students "to remain indoor and abstain from lectures" until their security is guaranteed.

Disturbing videos of the attacks did the rounds on social media.

Nigerian, and African, students live in rented homes in Greater Noida, 39 miles from the national capital of Delhi, and study in the area's various educational institutions.

People are now hoping for their safety and have urged the authorities to take action against the assaulters.

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India's Minister for External Affairs has termed it an "unfortunate incident" and said she's looking into it.

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Reuters Africa reported this afternoon that the local police has made five arrests in the case.

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Hindustan Times quoted a Nigerian national as saying: “We come to India to live in peace but we will not be bullied by force or violence. The need of the hour is for African students to unite against this blatant racism.”

We hope peace prevails soon.