2nd Indian killed in Oz, Centre issues advisory

A half-burnt body found in the town of Griffith, New South Wales, Australia, was identified on Tuesday as that of Ranjodh Singh (25), who left India a year ago to study management.

Singh is the second Indian to be killed in Australia since the attacks began. Nitin Garg (21), also a student, was stabbed to death in Melbourne on Sunday.

In Delhi, the External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday issued an advisory: “The ministry… cautions Indians planning to study in Australia that there have been several incidents of robbery and assault on Indians…, particularly in Melbourne.”

It advised those already in Australia to keep to well-lit, populated areas and not to travel alone at night.

Singh’s parents, Gurmail Singh, a flourmill owner, and Paramjit Kaur, residents of Patiala’s Alhoran village, are in shock. “Now everything is lost,” said Gurnail, who had taken a Rs 5.5 lakh loan for Ranjodh.

Singh left for a party on December 27 and never returned. His body was discovered two days later, his face disfigured. An aunt in Australia identified him from his clothes.