Australian PM assures action against attackers

A LOSS OF FACE? A rally against racial violence turned ugly on Monday morning.

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New Delhi: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has assured India that perpetrators of the recent attacks on Indian citizens here will be met with full force of the law.

However, these words haven't been enough. A rally against racial violence turned ugly on Monday morning. And another Indian - a taxi driver complained of racial abuse.

Victoria Police cracked down on a peaceful anti-racism rally by Indian students in Melbourne. As the world watched, police used batons and dragged the students away.

"We like Australia and Australia doesn't like us, that is what it comes down to," said an Indian student.

"They bashed me, and I got hurt on my lip," informed another Indian student.

The Australian police apologised but warned the students against returning to the streets.

"If someone got hit in the mouth and got injured I regret that but that came after demonstrators were given every opportunity to leave the area," Victorian Police Commissioner, Simaon Overland.

"People just need to take a step back, take a deep breath, stand back and I can assure you all we will get on top of the issue," he added.

Manmohan Singh called up his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd to express concern. And External Affairs Minister SM Krishna had a word with his counterpart in Canberra. The pressure appeared to work.

Bite Kevin Rudd: "We are a multicultural nation and we respect and embrace diversity, diversity which has enriched our nation. That is why these recent acts of violence are all the more deplorable. They are equally unacceptable and deserve to be met with the full force of the law," Rudd.

The students have called off their agitation for now in the hope of some resolute action by police.

Police have recorded more than 1,400 attacks on Indian students in 2008. They warn that the numbers are going up but say the attacks on white Australians are far higher. They are also reluctant to describe the attacks on Indians as racial in nature, claiming Indians are merely soft targets of opportunity.