4 arrested, 4 detained in case involving assault of Africans

Besides these eight persons, a juvenile has also been detained as investigators stepped up probe into three separate incidents of assault on African Nationals after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took up the issue with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

"Four accused identified as Babu, Om Prakash, Ajay and Rahul have been arrested and the fifth accused, who turned out to be a minor, has been apprehended on charges of causing hurt and wrongful confinement," DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said.

Investigators said that four more persons have been detained and there were being interrogated.

At least six African nationals had sustained injuries in the incidents. Police attributed two of the incidents to a dispute over African nationals playing loud music and other to a scuffle over public drinking.

The incidents came amid outrage over killing of 23-year-old Congolese national M K Oliver in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area last week with envoys of African nations openly voicing their unhappiness.

India had assured the African envoys of safety and security of all African nationals.

Three separate cases have already been registered by police in connection with the incident which took place at Mehrauli area on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, since yesterday police has held several meetings with various resident associations in the area.

Addressing one such gathering, DCP Ishwar said, "they have come to our country, they are our guests and friends. They have come here just because they trust us.

"The way you behave with them will have repercussions on our brothers living outside. An example is the way Indians were attacked after the murder of a Congolese youth," he said.