Indian held for hate crime against Sikhs in Sydney

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 17

The police in Australia has arrested an Indian with an expired visa for one among a series of violent incidents within the Indian community over the farm laws.

The man has been remanded in custody after being denied bail in the recent alleged ‘hate crime’ incident in Harris Park, Sydney. A local TV channel, Seven News, reported the arrested accused person’s visa had expired and could be deported.

“Sikhs identified by their turban were targeted because of tensions in India,” said the report, adding further arrests were imminent.

Since September, local police officers have been investigating a number of incidents in Harris Park of Sydney, reported the Melbourne-based South Asia Times.

The Indian has been charged with three counts of affray, three counts of armed with intent to commit indictable offence, two counts of destroying or damaging and assault.

Detailing the three incidents, the New South Wales (NSW) police said in the first incident on September 16, a man was struck in the head with a baseball bat and then kicked when on the ground by a group of five men.

On February 14, a man driving a car was allegedly attacked by a group of up to five men, holding sticks and other weapons.

On February 28, a group of people travelling in a vehicle was allegedly attacked by up to 10 men, seriously damaging the vehicle.

“We are very happy with the NSW Police and hope the culprits are caught. These people have no place in the wider Indian community,” said Amar Singh, Turbans 4 Australia.

He said the Indian Government’s representatives in Australia must step up and take responsibility for the behaviour, most of whom, he claimed, had been identified by the police.

Australian-Indians have called on the Indian High Commission to step up interaction with and monitor the behaviour of international students.

Awareness course sought

Australian-Indians have asked the MEA to have a pre-flight strategic awareness plan for students coming to Australia, so that they know how to behave and what it takes to integrate into the Australian community

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