Australia forms security group to protect Indians

In a bid to curb a spate of attacks on Indian students in Australia, Canberra has set up a high level group to check such assaults, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said on Wednesday. Speaking to the press after holding talks with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith in London, Krishna said, “Australia has established the "working group" between its central government and the administration of the state of Victoria. They will comprehensively study the incidents and their implications.” India has been of the view that the assaults were racially-motivated. Australian authorities have, however, been cautious to toe this line. According to Krishna, there have been 12 episodes in the past four weeks. Smith also assured Krishna that community policing has been stepped up and patrolling by regular police increased at night. "I am hoping these unprovoked attacks will be checkmated," Krishna said, adding that Canberra has taken New Delhi seriously. "A high-level group has been set up…A number of students who have gone there have taken up part-time jobs and they work in the late hours. The community policing and patrolling has been increased to give them protection," the minister said. The first meeting of the high-level group is scheduled to take place by the end of this week. "As soon as the group comes out with its assessment they would advise the government of India," Krishna added.

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