MELBOURNE: With no let-up in assaults against Indians in Australia, four more youths were attacked in Brisbane even as a couple was arrested on Thursday for the killing of Ranjodh Singh, whose partially-burnt body was found last month.

“Four more attacks on Indians in Brisbane, Queensland, took place,” Sky News reported, without identifying victims. “Three of them were directed at cab drivers, one who told how he was punched and dragged from his taxi,” it said. The fourth victim was a 23-year-old pizza delivery boy. He was bashed up with a cricket bat and robbed while making a delivery.

Brisbane-based Indian consul S.D. Singh said police informed him about the attacks and the arrest of one person involved in one of the incidents.

“Indian High Commissioner Sujatha Singh will reach Brisbane shortly and meet community leaders and members of the Queensland police to discuss the recent spate of attacks,” he said.

A 23-year-old man and his 20-year-old wife were arrested at two addresses in Sans Souci in Sydney’s south in connection with 25-year-old Ranjodh Singh’s murder, police said adding one more person is expected to be charged in the case.

Support centre opened

A round-the-clock support centre for foreign students has been opened in Melbourne as part of the Victorian government’s efforts to promote the region as a safe place to study.

The centre in Carlton will remain open during business hours and take calls from students 24 hours a day, according to an ABC report.

Victorian Premier John Brumby said the Australian $500,000 facility will offer assistance to all foreign students.

“For students who have got any sort of issue, whether they need support, whether they need counselling, whether it is accommodation, whether it has been an issue about violence... Whatever the issue, they are able to contact this centre,” Mr. Brumby said, adding: “It is open 24 hours a day, and I think it’s a world-leading step.”

Wesu Chau of the Australian Federation of International Students said the centre would assist foreign pupils greatly, and felt that more should be built. — PTI
India dismayed

New Delhi Special Correspondent writes:

India on Thursday expressed dismay at the fresh incidents of violence.

Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur pointed out that Mr. Krishna conveyed to his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith in London on Wednesday that the attacks were “particularly worrisome” as the Indian community individuals “appear to be singled out.”