Breaching peace: Oz detains 18 Indian students

Melbourne, Jun 1: Eighteen Indian students on Sunday May 31, have been detained for 'breaching peace' during the rally conducted by the Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA) and National Union of Students against the racial attacks in Australia.

Thousands of students participated in this peace rally against the racial assaults. The protest was called of by 5:15 am (local time). According to media reports the protestors had blocked the busiest street of the city and have accused the police for using a rod to the charge them to break their sit in.

Anita Nayyar, Indian consulate general in Melbourne said,"There are constant discussions with the Australian authorities in regards to the safety and security of our students." Nayyar said that the identity of the 18 protestors was not known and there was no information if any student was hurt in the rally.

Nayyar also said that the investigations will follow in regard to the detained Indian students. "I assume everyone has a right to express themselves, but within Australian laws," she added.

Victorial police chief commissioner, Simon Overland said that the protest appeared to have been 'hijacked' by a group of trouble makers. He also said that the some of the protestors who were not Indians had adjoined the rally and some of them were drunk. The protestors claim that the violent attacks on Indians in Australia are racially motivated.

OneIndia News