New Delhi: A 23-year-old Indian student was allegedly beaten up with iron rods by a group of Khalistan supporters after he voiced opposition to the extremist activities in Australia’s Sydney on Friday, reported The Australia Today.
“Today, morning at 5.30am when I was going to work some 4-5 Khalistan supporters attacked me. I work as a driver and my vehicle was parked just 50 metres from where I live. As soon as I sat in my driving seat these Khalistan supporters came out of nowhere,” The Australia Today quoted the student, who preferred anonymity, as saying.
“One of them opened the left side door of my vehicle and hit me with an iron road on my cheekbone under my left eye,” the student added.
The student further alleged that the assailants were constantly chanting the slogan “Khalistan Zindabad” when the incident took place in Sydney’s western suburb of Merrylands. He said he was dragged out his vehicle and beaten up, while two of the assailants also video-recorded the incident.
“Everything happened within five minutes, and 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 student further added.
According to the report, the student, who sustained severe injuries in his head, leg and arm, was rushed to Westmead Hospital, and New South Wales (NSF) Police was informed about the incident.
“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 Australia Today quoted a police spokesperson as saying.
“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," the spokesperson added.
“Shortly after 5.40 am on Friday 14 July 2023, officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command attended Rupert Street, Merrylands West, following reports of an assault,“ the NSW Police spokesperson said in a statement as per the report.