Don’t jump to conclusions, Victoria premier appeals after Indian’s death

MELBOURNE - The fatal stabbing of Nitin Garg, a student who hailed from Punjab in India, was abhorrent but people should not “jump to conclusions at this stage”, acting Victorian Premier Rob Hulls said Monday. This latest in a series of attacks on Indian students here has incensed India.

Garg, 21, an accounting graduate, was knifed in West Footscray Saturday while on way to work. He staggered to Hungry Jack’s restaurant and pleaded for help before collapsing.

He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he died.

Hulls said: “The tragic death of a young Indian lad is, I repeat, abhorrent, it is a heinous crime and it is something that the police are putting all resources into investigating and finding the culprit.”

“I don’t think anyone should jump to conclusions at this stage.

“I think it’s important that police be allowed to get on with the job of investigating this heinous crime,” he told reporters Monday.

Hulls said he had not been advised on whether the stabbing was a hate crime.

He insisted that Victoria was one of the safest places in the world, with crime rates falling dramatically in the past few years.

“We will continue to do what we can as a government to reduce crime, to make Victoria a safe place to live, a safe place to have holidays, a safe place to visit,” AAP news agency quoted Hulls as saying.

There had been a spate of attacks on Indians in Australia last year. Indian students have been set upon and viciously assaulted, causing an outcry in India. Canberra had assured New Delhi over the safety of the students. About 115,000 Indians have studied in Australia in the last 12 months.

Australia’s higher education industry is worth $17.2 billion a year and is listed as the country’s fourth largest export earner.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said: “I obviously unreservedly condemn this attack.”

She said police should now be allowed to carry out their investigation.

“This is a nation that welcomes international students. We want to make them welcome, this is a welcoming and accepting country,” she was quoted as saying.

Victorian Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said Garg’s death was a tragedy and called for Melbourne to become a “no-knife” city. He also sought a crackdown on violent crime, including tougher sentences for offenders.

“His death is a reminder, along with the other stabbings that have occurred over the last two days, that we have a terrible, terrible cultural problem in this city and in this state,” said Baillieu.

There has been strong reaction from India over Garg’s killing.

Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna condemned the fatal stabbing and said the attack could strain bilateral ties.

“This heinous crime on humanity, this is an uncivilised brutal attack on innocent Indians,” Krishna said.