Oz says pleased by Indian govt's call to media for restraint

Natasha Chaku
Melbourne, Jan 10 (PTI) Australia on Sunday said it was
pleased by Indian government's "constructive and responsible
advice" to the media to exercise restraint while reporting
attacks on the community members here, insisting that there
was no evidence to suggest that the recent two assaults in
Melbourne were racially-motivated.

"I am very pleased that overnight the (Indian) government
has issued what I believe is a very constructive and
responsible advice (to the media) and that is not to overreact
to it, to understand that investigations are being
undertaken," Acting Foreign Minister Simon Crean said.
"We need to get all of the facts first and we shouldn't
overreact until all of the facts are in," he was quoted as
saying by the local media
Crean noted that the government was going through a
difficult time in its relationship with India because of the
attacks on Indians, with the latest victim being 29-year-old
Jaspreet Singh who was set afire by a group of four attackers
here on Saturday.
His remarks came a day after the Ministry of External
Affairs in New Delhi asked the media to exercise "utmost
restraint" while reporting on such "sensitive" matters as it
could have bearing on bilateral relations.
The attack on Singh followed the stabbing death of
21-year-old Indian student Nitin Garg a week ago, which drew
sharp condemnation from the Indian government amid allegations
of racism in Australia. (More) PTI NC
AHM


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