New Delhi: The government has conveyed its "absolute displeasure and concern" to Australia over unabated attacks on Indians there and asked that government to "get its act
together" to bring the perpetrators of the assaults to book.
Stating this today, Minister of State for External Affairs Praneet Kaur also termed the latest attack on a cab driver there and the incident of fire in a Gurudwara as unfortunate.
"We are doing our utmost to register our absolute displeasure and concern about what is happening to our citizens in Australia," Kaur said, adding that "I think almost
on a daily basis the situation is being monitored."
The Minister said the government hopes that "Australia gets its act together like they are telling us and bring the perpetrators to the book."
Pressing for prompt action, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni said "I do feel that a certain clarity or a certain reassurance from Australia should be
forthcoming, so that the sense of insecurity and fear which is there in the Indian students there and their families especially in India can be assuaged."
Soni said till the time the reason behind such attacks on Indians in Australia is being found out, there should be some kind of an assurance from Australian government to families of victims in terms of an indication that it is taking action against the attackers and the situation is under control.
Kaur said the Government was trying to get details of the attack on a Gurudwara in Melbourne.
Asked if Government was planning to any steps to discourage students from going there, Kaur said the External Affairs Ministry had already issued an advisory on the issue.
Soni also said while the issue has be dealt with in a sensitive manner, "yet a sense of urgency should definitely guide our actions."
PTI
First Published: Saturday, January 16, 2010, 00:36