Surrender to us - priest, activist to Indian youth’s killer

MELBOURNE - An Australian priest and a youth worker Wednesday issued an appeal to the unidentified man who fatally stabbed Indian youth Nitin Garg and asked him to surrender to them.

Garg, 21, an accounting graduate, was knifed in the suburb of West Footscray Saturday while on his 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.

Melbourne priest Father Bob Maguire and suburban youth worker Les Twentyman see themselves as “circuit breakers”, and believe the culprit or culprits behind Garg’s killing might be too scared to give themselves up to police.

“We could act as circuit breakers,” AAP news agency quoted Maguire as saying.

“At least the perpetrator would be guaranteed safe passage to the police.”

Garg’s killing evoked sharp reaction from New Delhi and left the Indian students in Australia worried.

Amit Menghani, president of the Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA), had said said Indian students were fearful, confused and undergoing “psychological stress” after the murder.

“They don’t know whether to stay home or go to school, stay home from work … they are very worried,” The Age had quoted Menghani as saying.

There had been a string 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.