Three Indians attacked in Australia

After a brief lull in attacks on Indians in Australia, two students and their uncle were "brutally bashed" by a group of around 70 youth while playing here.

26-year-old Sukhdip Singh, his brother Gurdeep Singh and uncle Mukhtair Singh were attacked by the group when they were playing pool in the eastern suburb of Epping on Saturday.

"At around 11'o clock my brother-in-law Sukhdip was playing pool along with few family members when they were attacked by around 70 locals who were attending a party," said the victim's relative Onkar Singh.

"They were quitely playing and were trying to avoid trouble even after these locals were trying to provoke them by passing comments," he said. The group started telling them to go back to their country. "When they reached the car park to leave the place a huge crowd attacked them and started bashing. The attackers were in their teens and around twenties," he said.

Onkar claimed police have informed him that six of the 70 attackers have been arrested. The attacks come a month after Australian Government assured External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, during his visit here, that Indian students will be protected. Around 30 Indian students were attacked in various cities from June to August.

"Sukhdip was the one who received maximum injury and he broke his cheek, nose and jaw bones in the attack," Onkar said. The victim was in hospital for two days and was released yesterday, he said. Sukhdip is now unable to eat any solid food as his face is all swollen up, he said, adding that Sukhdip had arrived on spouse visa a month ago.