China says action taken against Yiwu perpetrators

China has initiated criminal proceedings against five locals suspected for torturing two Indian businessmen near Shanghai, as it promised to address the issue and give due attention to the safety of Indian nationals on its soil.China denies treating Indian diplomat badly | India warning against China trading hub | Diplomat ill treated in China, India protests | Watch video

In the wake of torture of two Indian businessmen near Shanghai, China has initiated criminal proceedings against five locals suspected for the act as it promised to address the issue and give due attention to the safety of Indian nationals on its soil.

HT Image

The assurance was given by Chinese ambassador to India Zhang Yan when he met Gautam Bambawale, joint secretary (East Asia) in the external affairs ministry, on Wednesday afternoon.

The envoy said "serious attention" was being given to the issue related to the two businessmen and hoped that it would be resolved as quickly as possible, sources said.

The Ambassador also assured the MEA that due attention was being given to the safety of Indian nationals and businessmen, they said.

Two Indian businessmen -- Shyamsunder Agarwal and Deepak Raheja -- have complained of ill-treatment and torture ever since they were "kidnapped" on December 15 by some local people.

The locals, working with a company, have been demanding payment of their dues after the owner of the firm fled.

Agarwal and Raheja say they are merely employees of a company which owed money to its Chinese suppliers and their employer has fled without clearing the dues.