An Indian youth was today stabbed in Australia, in the first case of casualty in a series of vicious attacks on the community members, prompting a strong reaction from India, which said such incidents could have a “bearing” on bilateral ties.
Twenty one-year-old Nitin Garg, who migrated from Punjab and had permanent residency in Australia, was stabbed in the abdomen in a park while on his way to a fast-food joint Hungry Jack’s restaurant, where he worked part-time.
He staggered into the restaurant and pleaded for help before collapsing. Garg, who had on a previous occasion been beaten by a group of men at the Newport Railway Station, was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he succumbed.
Reacting sharply, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said the brutal attack was “strongly condemnable” and asked the Australian authorities to speedily bring to book the persons responsible for the crime.
Krishna told reporters in Bangalore that Australian authorities should take note of the “deep anger” being caused by such incidents and the “bearing” they could have on bilateral ties.
An MEA statement in New Delhi said Krishna has directed the Indian High Commissioner in Canberra and the Indian Consul General in Melbourne to coordinate with Australian authorities and extend all assistance to the family of Nitin Garg.
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The incident occurred near the Somerville and Geelong Road, West Footscray, about 10 pm local time last night (3:30 am this morning).
Police said the youth from Newport had travelled to Yarraville train station about 9.30 pm local time (3:00 am), then walked along Anderson Street to Cruickshank Park, where he was stabbed in the abdomen.