Two Indian students attacked in Australia

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," said.

"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.

Another youth, identified as Mohit Mangal, from Indore was attacked by four Australian youths around 1.30 am (IST) yesterday night while he was on his way to a shopping mall in Sydney.

Mohit, who works as a mall supervisor, 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, sources said.

Confirming the incident, Mohit's father Anil Mangal, who runs an automobile business here, said the condition of Mohit was out of danger.

"My son had no enmity with anyone there and the incident, it appears, might be a continuation of ongoing racial attacks on Indian students in Australia', Anil said.