Attack on Indians: Oz police launch probe

Natasha Chaku

Melbourne, Sep 16 (PTI) Under fire for yet another racial
attack on three Indians here, Australian police Wednesday said
they have launched a probe into the incident and denied
covering it up as a concerned India took up the matter with
the authorities Down Under.

After a brief lull in the attacks, three Indians were
assaulted outside a bar in a suburb here on Saturday. Police
said four men were arrested and quizzed in connection with the
attack, but were released pending further investigation.

Victorian police said they have launched an investigation
"into the circumstances surrounding the racial attack."

Acting Senior Sergeant Glenn Parker, however, dismissed
the contention by relatives of the victims that a group of 70
people attacked the three Indians, claiming that only four men
were involved in the "actual assault" and up to 20 persons
were bystanders.

Police also denied trying to cover up the racial attack
and said authorities had not tried to hush up the incident,
amid criticism for the delay in releasing details of the
Saturday evening incident.

Concerned over the recurring attacks on its nationals in
Australia, India took up the issue with the Australian
government and said additional measures should be put in place
at the earliest to prevent such incidents from happening
again. (More) PTI