Indian protestors 'ramrodded', 'punched' by Aussie police during peaceful sit-in

Melbourne, Jun 1 (ANI): Indian protesters, who were demonstrating against the recent racist attacks on Indian students, were ramrodded by security personnel during the overnight blockade of Melbourne's city streets.

Protesters accused the Victoria Police of using force against them to break up their peaceful sit-in.

The police officials reportedly dragged them out of the tram and punched them brutally.

"There was definitely an amount of excessive force by Victoria Police.There were six policemen to one guy who was sitting down peacefully, who was punched and dragged," The Sydney Herald quoted a protester Yogesh Malhotra, as saying.

He blamed the police of using force and pressure tactics to compel the agitators to break their protest.

"While he (security official) was making his announcement we were already surrounded by 200 policemen and after a while, six of the guys (police), they came and they ramrodded one of the guys, they dragged him," Malhotra said.

While the Indian community is claiming that the recent attacks on Indian students were racially motivated, Victorian Premier John Brumby said Victoria was still a safe destination for students by world standards.

However, Brumby admitted that the attacks were unacceptable

"There have been some racially based attacks, and they're completely repugnant and unacceptable," he said.

"Everybody should take a step back and just calm down now, I guess, just take a step back and we'll get on top of this issue," he added. (ANI)