HYDERABAD: Forty-eight hours after a Tanzanian student was beaten and allegedly stripped by a group of locals in Bengaluru, a group of Nigerians today approached the Hyderabad police alleging that they were attacked by another group of locals in a road side brawl in Hakimpet area in Tolichowki on Thursday night.
Based on a complaint from a Nigerian student, Banjara Hills police on Friday registered a case against unknown persons on charges of wrongful restraint and quarrel. The complaint alleged that his attackers were carrying a pistol and a military knife.
The incident took place at Paramount Colony at around 8.30 p.m. Alleging they did not receive enough support from
police, over 20 Nigerian students had reached the Police Station by 9.30 in the night. They dispersed only at 2.30 a.m after they were assured of justice.
P Murali Krishna, inspector of Banjara Hills PS said: " It was an accidental brawl. We have registered a case under sections 323 and 341 of Indian Penal Code. We are investigating."
Omobowle Seun Gideon, a first year MBA student of Osmania University and president of the Association of Nigerian Students in the city, said: "One of our guys was passing by on his bike. As he was giving way to another motorist coming opposite to him, a local man on the road abused him repeatedly, to which, he too shot back verbally. The incident turned into an argument."
According to him, two more Nigerians joined the man where as scores of locals joined the other side. "How can anyone take out a gun and a military knife in public? Finally, when police arrived they see three of us holding a local man," he added.
He noted that they have given video evidence of the incident to the police. Police are verifying CCTV footage from the scene.