Group housing plan to check attacks on Indians in Australia

Concerned over continuing attacks on Indians in Australia, the two countries are planning to put in place transportation and group housing facilities for Indian students to curb attacks on them. Vikas Pathak reports.

Concerned over continuing attacks on Indians in Australia, the two countries are planning to put in place transportation and group housing facilities for Indian students to curb attacks on them.

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The rationale: most attacks are around public transport stations Indian students frequent and in scattered habitations.

“If they are together, chances of attacks will come down,” said Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi.

Ravi asked visiting Victorian Premier John Brumby, during a four-hour discussion on Friday, to provide follow-up information to India about police investigation, trial and conviction in cases involving attacks on Indians.

Brumby admitted that a few incidents had racial undertones.

“Some of the incidents have involved a racial element. This is complete anathema for us,” Brumby said. “We have amended our law to curb any racist violence. If you are normally sentenced for three years for assault, it will be five years for racist assault.”