Now houses of assaulted Indians burgled in Australia

Natasha Chaku
Melbourne, May 28 (PTI) The houses of four Indian
students, who were brutallly assaulted by a group of teenagers
in Australia have been burgled, even as one of them battles
for life at a hospital, an organisation of Indian students
here has alleged.

The students, who were bashed up in an apparent racial
attack, were away to the hospital when unknown intruders broke
into their houses and stole everything available.

"They have no clothes or anything left in the house and
the students are really feeling insecure and unsafe," said
Gautam Gupta, President of the Federation of Indian student
Association (FISA).

"They believe it was done by members of the same group
who had assaulted them during the weekend," he said. There
was, however, no official confirmation of the burglary so far.

The fresh attack comes despite the Indian government
pressing Australia to tackle security issues of its students
in the wake of growing assaults on them.

Meanwhile, the condition of the 25-year old Shravan
Kumar, who is fighting for life in a hospital, remains
critical and doctors are "not very optimistic" about chances
of his recovery.

Representatives of FISA, along with those of Australia's
apex student body National Union of Students (NUS) will meet
Indian High Commission Sujatha Singh on the issue Thursday and
present a list of their dmands.

NUS General Secretary David Wilkins expressed his
organisation's concern at the spate of attacks on Indians.

"NUS will be supporting FISA's ongoing campaign to
protect the safety of all international students at a time
when racist attacks have been increasing in Melbourne," NUS
General Secretary David Wilkins said.

"At a time when there is a vacuum of representation for
international students, NUS will be working along with FISA to
integrate, empower and represent Indian and all international
students," he said.

Gupta said the meeting will focus on presenting a list
of recommendations to High Commissioner that will include the
demand that Indian government summon Australian High
Commissioner in New Delhi for an explanation on the issue.

It will also press the Indian authorities to issue a
travel warning declaring Australia unsafe for students if the
matter persists, apart from raising issues of racist attacks
on Indians across the world with special mention to Australia
and a compensation package for them.

"Indian consulates must support an independent body like
FISA for representation of issues facing Indian citizens," he
said in the statement.

FISA also asked Australia to ensure that anybody who is
physically assaulted be given complete medical cover at par
with Australian citizens and institutes be forced to return
full tuition fee if the student becomes unable to complete the
degree due to an assault.

"Government must also refund complete living costs and
cost of airfares to the victims and at least two per cent of
Indians should be employed as uniformed police force in
Victoria to ensure equality and reduction in racist overtones
in Police response," FISA said.

It said Australia must also run a media campaign
detailing contributions of overseas students to Australian
economy and emphasise on how their presence has benefitted
Australia and created jobs here.

It further suggested offenders to be tried under Hate
Crimes Act and the a dedicated India desk be established with
the Premier's Office to oversee implementation of these
recommendations. PTI NC

RKM
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