Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Attacks on Indians not racial: Australian delegation

July 07, 2009 20:21 IST
An Australian delegation on Tuesday said the attacks on Indian students were not racial but were done with a primary motive of stealing.

"It is true that there have been attacks on Indian students in Australia. But at the same time there is no evidence to indicate organised attacks on Indians," Colin Walters, head of the nine-member Australian delegation visiting Ahmedabad, told media persons.

"There is no link between different incidents of attack on Indians in Australia. Most of the offenders who are young kids have been arrested and are awaiting trial," he said.

"It appears that in most cases stealing expensive items like mobile phones and laptop computers which students carry with them was the motive behind the attack," said Walters, who works with the Australian Department of Education.

He, however, admitted that some cases might have had racial overtones.

Asked if the rapid increase in Indian student population in Australia was causing conflict between them and the local community, Walters denied any such happening.

"Yes, there has been a rapid increase in number of Indian students enrolling for studies in Australia, but I don't think this has lead to any conflict with the locals," he said.

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.