Melbourne: Two Indians, including a cabbie,
were attacked in separate incidents overnight in Brisbane, a
day after Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that the
assaults on Indians in the country were "regrettable".
A 25-year-old youth was assaulted and robbed while using
a phone box near his home in Macgregor in Brisbane`s south at
about last night, police officials were quoted a saying by
AAP.
The youth, whose identity was not disclosed, was punched
in the head twice and his wallet stolen. Police were searching
for the attacker, described as being tall, of Pacific Islander
appearance, with black curly hair, the report said.
In a separate incident, a taxi driver was attacked at
about early this morning after an argument broke out with two
men in Carindale, in Brisbane`s southeast.
The men punched the driver in the face several times and
smashed the car`s windscreen. The driver was taken to the
Princess Alexandra hospital for cuts to his face and swelling
to his right eye.
Two men, aged 28 and 25, are helping police with their
enquiries.
Meanwhile, the government again stressed that there was
no indication that the attacks were racially motivated. Acting
Premier Andrew Fraser said he wants to assure Indian nationals
that Australia is a safe place.
PTI
