Houses of assaulted Indians burgled in Australia
The houses of four Indian students, who were brutallly assaulted by a group of teenagers in Australia have been burgled, even as one of them battles for life at a hospital, an organisation of Indian students here has alleged.
The students, who were bashed up in an apparent racial attack, were away to the hospital when unknown intruders broke into their houses and stole everything available.
"They have no clothes or anything left in the house and the students are really feeling insecure and unsafe," said Gautam Gupta, President of the Federation of Indian student Association (FISA).
"They believe it was done by members of the same group who had assaulted them during the weekend," he said. There was, however, no official confirmation of the burglary so far.
The fresh attack comes despite the Indian government pressing Australia to tackle security issues of its students in the wake of growing assaults on them.
Meanwhile, the condition of the 25-year old Shravan Kumar, who is fighting for life in a hospital, remains critical and doctors are "not very optimistic" about chances of his recovery.
Representatives of FISA, along with those of Australia's apex student body National Union of Students (NUS) will meet Indian High Commission Sujatha Singh on the issue today and present a list of their dmands.
NUS General Secretary David Wilkins expressed his organisation's concern at the spate of attacks on Indians.
"NUS will be supporting FISA's ongoing campaign to protect the safety of all international students at a time when racist attacks have been increasing in Melbourne," NUS General Secretary David Wilkins said.
"At a time when there is a vacuum of representation for international students, NUS will be working along with FISA to integrate, empower and represent Indian and all international students," he said.
Gupta said the meeting will focus on presenting a list of recommendations to High Commissioner that will include the demand that Indian government summon Australian High Commissioner in New Delhi for an explanation on the issue.
It will also press the Indian authorities to issue a travel warning declaring Australia unsafe for students if the matter persists, apart from raising issues of racist attacks on Indians across the world with special mention to Australia and a compensation package for them.
"Indian consulates must support an independent body like FISA for representation of issues facing Indian citizens," he said in the statement.
FISA also asked Australia to ensure that anybody who is physically assaulted be given complete medical cover at par with Australian citizens and institutes be forced to return full tuition fee if the student becomes unable to complete the degree due to an assault.
"Government must also refund complete living costs and cost of airfares to the victims and at least two per cent of Indians should be employed as uniformed police force in Victoria to ensure equality and reduction in racist overtones in Police response," FISA said.
It said Australia must also run a media campaign detailing contributions of overseas students to Australian economy and emphasise on how their presence has benefitted Australia and created jobs here.
It further suggested offenders to be tried under Hate Crimes Act and the a dedicated India desk be established with the Premier's Office to oversee implementation of these recommendations
