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India has conveyed its 'absolute displeasure and concern' to Australia over the unabated attacks on Indians there and asked the government to 'get its act together' to bring the perpetrators of the assaults to book.
Stating this on Friday, Minister of State for External Affairs Praneet Kaur also termed the latest attack on a cab driver there and the incident of fire in a Gurudwara as unfortunate.
"We are doing our utmost to register our absolute displeasure and concern about what is happening to our citizens in Australia," Kaur said, adding, "I think almost on a daily basis the situation is being monitored."
The minister said the government hopes that "Australia gets its act together like they are telling us and bring the perpetrators to book."
Pressing for prompt action, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni said, "I do feel that a certain clarity or a certain reassurance from Australia should be forthcoming, so that the sense of insecurity and fear which is there in the Indian students there and their families, especially in India, can be assuaged."
Soni said till the time the reason behind such attacks on Indians in Australia is ascertained, there should be some kind of an assurance from the Australian government to families of victims, in terms of an indication that it is taking action against the attackers and the situation is under control. Kaur said the government was trying to get details of the attack on a Gurudwara in Melbourne.
Asked if the government was planning to any steps to discourage students from going to Australia, Kaur said the external affairs ministry had already issued an advisory on the issue.
Soni also said that while the issue has be dealt with in a sensitive manner, "yet a sense of urgency should definitely guide our actions."