Australian PM calls for calm over attacks on Indians

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-10 14:22

CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday called for calm in the community after a spate of attacks on Indian students.

He said while violence in all Australian cities was "a regrettable part" of urban life, vigilante action was equally unwelcome.

"This is one of the safest countries in the world for international students," Rudd told Fairfax Radio.

"It's unacceptable for anyone to commit an act of violence against any student of any ethnicity anywhere in Australia."

However, he said it was also unacceptable for any student group to take the law into their own hands.

"I fully support hardline measures in response to any act of violence towards any student anywhere - Indian or otherwise," Rudd said.

His comments came after Indian students in Melbourne formed their own groups to escort their countrymen and women home from troublespot railway stations.

Meanwhile in Sydney's west, students had taken to the streets for a second night in protest after attacks they claim were racially motivated.