Australia has taken steps for safety of Indian students, SC told

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the Australian government has taken a series of steps to protect Indian students from racial attacks and authorities there are working in close coordination with the Indian High Commission in confidence building measures.

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the Australian government has taken a series of steps to protect Indian students from racial attacks and authorities there are working in close coordination with the Indian High Commission in confidence building measures.

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"Australian government has taken concrete steps and announced a series of steps aimed at ensuring the safety and
security of Indian students in Australia," the External Affairs Ministry said in a fresh affidavit.

The affidavit, filed in compliance with the June 29 order of the apex court which had expressed concern over the
unabated attack on students in Australia, said policing has been enhanced in Melbourne.

"Policing has been strengthened in Melbourne where most of the incidents have occurred," it said, adding that the
state government's robbery task force has been doubled and several offenders have been charged.

"Victorian police has established a community reference group for western Melbourne involving police and
members of the Indian community to see how to decrease incidents of victimisation of Indian students and facilitate
communication on safety issues," the affidavit said.

It said Indian High Commissioner and Consulate General in Sydney and Melbourne have drawn state government's
attention to the need of CCTVs and street lights.