Melbourne: Two students from Punjab and
Madhya Pradesh have become the latest victims of attacks on
Indians in Australia when they were assaulted by a group of
men separately, even as Canberra assured New Delhi of the
safety and security of Indians here.
Gaurav Kakkar, a student of a hairdressing course, was
attacked by a group of men when he was talking to his family
in Punjab's Ferozpur from a local telephone booth.
"I was attacked by a group of men on Friday. I dont
even know how many were there as they sprayed capsicum spray
into my eyes. I could not see anything and few of them grabbed
me from behind and started hitting me," Kakkar told a news agency.
"They dragged me to some other place where they threw
chilli flakes into my mouth and my eyes and nose," he said.
Kakkar said he called up the police for help after the
attackers left the scene who also took his wallet.
Kakkar was then taken to hospital and was discharged
two days later.
Mohit, a student from Indore, was attacked from behind
with a beer bottle on his head and beaten up with a baseball
bat on his waist and leg by the four youths on Friday, sources
said.
The attacks came hours after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
assured visiting External Affairs Minister S M Krishna that
every Indian student in the country would be protected.
With these assaults, the number of Indian students
attacked in Australia rose to 25. Australia is home to around
95,000 Indian students.
Vikas Sharma, who is currently taking care of Kakkar,
said: "Kakkar is still unable to see with one of his eyes and
can't walk properly."
Sharma said his friend was now scared to step out of
the house.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, August 10, 2009, 13:46