Mob attacks Indian businesses in the Congo after student death

A mob has attacked Indian businesses and vehicles in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, police say, part of ongoing fallout from a DRC student’s death in Indian police custody last week.

Several Indian businesses in Kinshasa were looted last week following the death of Joel Malu, a Congolese student in Bangalore.

African diplomats have complained in the past about racism against their citizens living in India, especially in the aftermath of the beating death in 2016 of a Congolese man in Dehli.

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DR Congo’s police said the mob on Thursday looted Indian shops and warehouses, set a car on fire and stoned three other vehicles in Kinshasa’s Limete neighbourhood in response to a false rumour that a second DRC citizen had died in India.

“Uncivilised people, mainly young people, have been looting stores and warehouses held by Indian nationals,” Kinshasa police commissioner Sylvano Kasongo said.

Police arrested three people and recovered 40 bales of stolen clothing, Kasongo said.

The statement did not mention any injuries.

Malu was arrested in Bangalore on August 1 on suspicion of drug possession.

Indian police said he complained of chest pains and was transferred to hospital, where he died.

His death sparked clashes between protesters and baton-wielding officers in Bangalore the following day.