Indian Students Targeted In Australia

By Staff

Monday, February 23, 2009, 12:47

Since the raise in the rate of violent robberies in Australia, the Indian students in Melbourne, Victoria have been asked to maintain a low profile. As reported by the Age, Indian students speak loudly in their language and happen to flaunt their wealth.

Since the last financial year, the robberies have raised in Melbourne's western suburb by 27 percent. According to the estimation by the police about one third of the victims were Indians. To combat such robberies, a special police force has been formed, who believe that the robbery might be racially motivated. The Indian students are easy target as they carry their ipods and laptops on trains at odd hours.

The Federation of Indian Students of Australia says Melbourne, which has about 33,000 Indian international students, may no longer be seen as a safe destination. It has now become crucial to stop such robberies and repair the damage of the trust that the Indian students have developed on the police, as stated by Inspector Scott Mahony, of Brimbank police.

After 100 Indian students had marched to the Sunshine police station last December, to protest against the neglect of the crimes committed, finally the Police Indian Western Reference Group was formed . AGENCIES