Indian community welcomes Victorian Premier assurance against racist attacks

Melbourne, Oct 10(ANI): Victorian Premier John Brumby assurance to the state's Indian community that the Government was taking steps to make its streets safer and more harmonious has been warmly received by the community.

Brumby, who recently returned from a nine-day trip to India, has been constantly trying to clear growing doubts about Australia's image as an 'unsafe country' for Indians following a series of violent assaults on Indian students in the past few months.

"In Melbourne, we live in one of the safest cities anywhere in the world. But, if there is one single act of violence in our state it is one too many and one act of racism it is one too many," The AAP quoted Brumby, as saying.

"All the steps we are putting in place- more police, police powers and tougher sentences, I believe all these things continue to build a safer and more harmonious environment in Melbourne," he added.

Brumby was speaking at Melbourne's Federation Square, where thousands of people from the Indian community were celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights.

"The Diwali festival is a wonderful example of how Victorian communities share traditions, cultures and friendships to make the state a vibrant, multicultural society," he said. (ANI)