Antwerp Diamond Dealer Dies In Police Raid - Dec.2006
Nikhil Manilal, 45, the Managing Director of diamond company Beltaj NV,
died, reportedly of heart failure, when his house was raided by the police
in what was described a tax investigation Antwerp.
Amar Sinha, spokesman of the Indian Embassy in Brussels told an Indian
newspaper that the local community was "ascertaining the circumstances
and will take up the matter with the local Government if there was any
neglect." He described the incident as "very unfortunate."
Sunil Prasad, Secretary General of the Brussels-based Europe India
Chamber of Commerce and President of Global Organisation of People of
Indian Origin in Belgium told reporters that in spite of demands by the
family that Manilal be given urgent medical assistance when he had heart
problems, the police did not grant it and continued with the raid.
"This is not acceptable and we demand a full investigation of the
case and those found guilty must be punished," he told the India News
in Europe program. "This is the saddest day in the history of the
Indian community's relations with the Belgium."
Four Indian trade organizations later called for an investigation of
Manilal’s death, and the entire Antwerp diamond community took a one-day
strike in honor of Manilil. v
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