Queensland Police accused of keeping knife attack on Indian under wraps

BRISBANE - Queensland Police has been accused of keeping a serious knife attack on an Indian at one of the busiest train stations under wraps.

The Courier-Mail has learnt that 34-year-old Narendra Kumar Patel’s throat was slashed by a 26-year-old man while he waited on Platform 9 at Brisbane’s Roma Street Station about 4.20 p.m. on March 17.

The attacker was charged a short time later after handing himself in at police headquarters, across the road.

Police despite the high-profile location never released the details of the incident. Sources have claimed that a decision was taken by authorities not to release details of the assault, which is certain to fuel fears about train station safety.

It also will spark debate about whether Indians are the target of racially motivated attacks in Queensland, an issue that has raised tension between the Australian and Indian governments after a spate of attacks in Victoria.

Police would not comment on the case, or the decision not to release details.

But Opposition justice spokesman Lawrence Springborg said the attack struck “at the heart of confidence of all rail commuters” and the public had a right to know about it.

Police Minister Neil Roberts said 54 officers in the rail squad patrolled train stations along with more than 100 full-time transit officers and private security guards.

He said the clear-up rate for crime on the rail system was “very good”.

The attacker is currently out on bail and is due to face court again on April 15. (ANI)