Victoria police launch operation to reduce crime against foreign, Indian students

MELBOURNE - Three people have been arrested in Melbourne during a state-wide operation to reduce anti-social behaviour and crimes against international students. The move may come as a bit of a relief to Indian students in Australia, especially after facing racially motivated attacks in the recent past.

The Herald Sun quoted Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty, as saying that one of them was arrested for assault and two for being drunk in a public place.

Over 75 police officers hit the streets, pubs and stations in Stonnington as part of Operation Guardian, which also empowers police to listen to the concerns of overseas students and help them rescue aggrieved ones from racist or any other attack.

Twenty public transport offences were recorded and more than 70 penalty notices were issues for traffic offences, the paper reports.

The operation has also run in Moreland, Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Dandenong, Melbourne, Kingston and Darebin.

In 2007-2008, 1447 Indians were attacked in Victoria. In May and June 2009, media reported a number of racially motivated attacks against Indians, especially students.

Rallies were organised in Melbourne and Sydney, and intense coverage of the perceived hate crimes commenced in India, being especially critical of Australia and Australian police services.

Over 1,000, mostly Indian students protested the violence in a demonstration in Melbourne last year. (ANI)