New Delhi, January 2
Kenyan violence is not directed against the Indian community and not a single Indian there has been attacked, the ministry of external affairs said today.

A report from the Indian High Commission in Kenya said some shops and business establishments had been looted but the properties of the people of Indian origin were safe.

Minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma told this correspondent that the situation in Kenya was limping back to normal. “Not a single Indian has been targeted or attacked in Kenya. The Indian community there is suffering just as other communities are because of the violence between the government and the Opposition supporters.” Sharma said the Kenyan Foreign Minister had spoken to the Indian community there and assured them of all protection.

Anand Sharma said in many cases Indians were huddled in temples, gurdwaras and churches. The Indian High Commission was actively watching the situation and constantly engaged with the Indian community, which has a significant strength in many Kenyan towns, including Mombassa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. The Indian High Commission is in touch with establishments like temples and gurdwaras where people gather so that the High Commission is kept in the picture of the welfare of the Indian community.

“There are no reports that we have got of any person of Indian origin being subjected to violence or being physically harmed,” MEA spokesman Navtej Sarna said. “This violence is not targeting the Asian community broadly speaking or persons of Indian origin, specifically speaking. There has been some looting of shops and commercial establishments but all the people of Indian origin are reported to be safe and unharmed.”