Officials from the Gambia visited the Indian Gujarat University campus to discuss safety measures for students in the wake of an attack on foreign students. The incident, which occurred three days ago, involved nearly 30 students from Gambia studying at the university.

The delegation, including officials from the High Commission of Gambia in New Delhi, met with Vice-Chancellor Neerja Gupta to discuss the steps taken by the university authorities following the attack. Vice-Chancellor Gupta stated that the delegation expressed satisfaction with the measures taken to ensure the safety and security of students.

The attack occurred on the night of March 16 at one of the hostel blocks, where around two dozen people objected to students from foreign countries offering ‘namaz’ during the ongoing month of Ramzan. The group assaulted students from different foreign countries, leading to the hospitalization of two students, one each from Sri Lanka and Tajikistan.

In response to the incident, a FIR was registered against 20 to 25 unidentified persons under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The university authorities have taken several steps to enhance security, including relocating foreign students to a new wing, engaging ex-servicemen to bolster security, and shifting international students to a separate hostel designated for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) within three days. Additionally, a foreign student advisory committee has been established, and ex-Army personnel have been deployed to fortify the hostel premises’ security.

The Gambian delegation’s visit was a follow-up to the incident, and they expressed satisfaction with the university’s efforts to ensure the safety of their students.