Sydney: In another worrying incident involving Khalistani sympathisers on foreign soil, an Indian student was reportedly beaten up with iron rods in Australia for opposing to extremist activities.
The attack took place in Sydney’s Merrylands suburb, where four assailants chanted ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ while targeting the 23-year-old student who was on his way to work, The Australia Today reported on Friday.
“Today at 5.30 am, when I was going to work, some 4-5 Khalistan supporters attacked me,” the student, who requested anonymity, was quoted as saying.
The student, who works as a driver to earn some money, explained that the assailants appeared out of nowhere as he was getting into his vehicle.
They opened the left side door and hit him with an iron rod on his cheekbone, just below the left eye, the student narrated.
He was forcibly dragged out of the vehicle and beaten up with iron rods. Two of the attackers recorded the assault.
“Everything happened within 5 minutes… They left saying this should be a lesson for me for opposing the Khalistan issue. If not, they are ready to give me more lessons like this,” the victim said.
After the incident was reported to New South Wales Police, the injured student – who suffered substantial injuries to his head, leg and arm — was transported to Westmead Hospital.
“Police have been told a 23-year-old man was walking along Rupert Street before he was assaulted by four men armed with a metal pole. The 23-year-old was allegedly kicked, punched, and hit with the metal pole repeatedly before the four men left the scene in a grey sedan,” a police spokesperson said.
This scary attack follows clashes between Khalistani activists and pro-India demonstrators in Melbourne during the so-called ‘Punjab independence referendum’ in January.
The Indian government, concerned about rising anti-India activities of Khalistani separatists Down Under, urged Australian authorities to take action.
“There is no place in our local community for extremism or violence of any kind. I have contacted the relevant authorities regarding this incident and will monitor the situation as it unfolds,” said the Member of Parliament for Merrylands.
