Four African nationals were assaulted by locals around Kothanur and Byrathi areas in Bangalore on Tuesday. The Bangalore police booked a suo-moto case against the locals. Home Minister of Karnataka KJ George said, "Victims have refused to lodge a complaint as they are foreign nationals and do not want long term issues. But I have asked the police to take up a suo-moto investigation and book a relevant case. “No one has the right to take law into their own hands. If there is any misunderstanding between the locals and the foreign nations, I have asked the police to call for a peace-meeting in the area and resolve the matter amicably,” he added. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Alok Kumar said, “It was not a racial attack, but only a verbal duel that led to a skirmish between the residents and the foreign nationals. However, when the police inquired, the foreign nationals refused to lodge any complaint, but sought for protection instead. "We have made arrangements for their security and things are under control now,” Alok Kumar said. Another police official said that the assault happened in the wee hours on Tuesday when David (one of the four African nationals) and his friends returned to their home in the residential area of Kothanur. They were found making loud noise, to which a few local residents objected. The groups had heated exchange of words during which John (another African national),was beaten by the mob. By the time the police arrived, the local group had dispersed leaving the injured African nationals to their fate. Later in the evening, when David and John were getting treatment at a hospital in Byrathi, their friends tipped the duo that an angry mob was heading their way. David tried to run away, but was cornered at Century Bar in Kothanur and assaulted with chairs by the locals, the police said. The police said since the victims were not cooperating in identifying the suspects, they were having some hurdles, but are confident that they would apprehend the locals.
