(a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing incidents of Indians being attacked in various countries abroad
and the recent incidents in the last few month and the one in which a Hyderabad boy studying in London stabbed;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons behind such attacks;
(c) whether the Union Government has taken any steps to ensure the safety and well being of Indians living in abroad;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) Yes Sir, the Government is aware of the incidents of Indians being attacked in various countries abroad.
(b) There have been instances over the past three years wherein Indians in Australia were attacked. The number of attacks on Indians
in Australia has shown a sharp decrease in 2011 as compared with previous two years. The issue of attacks on Indians in Australia has
been taken up at the highest level, including at the Ministerial level as well as through the High Commission and its Consulates in
Australia. It has been conveyed to the Australian Government that it was the responsibility of the Australian authorities to ensure
the well being and security of all Indians in Australia. The steps taken by the Australian authorities have been useful, as reflected
in the substantial decrease in the number of attacks in recent months.
An Indian National Student was shot dead in Toronto, Canada on 25.12.2011 but the incident cannot be termed as an attack on the basis
of racial profiling or an ethnically charged incident.
A few incidents involving the demise of Indian nationals due to reported / suspected assault / attack have come to the notice of the
Indian Missions / Consulates in USA. As reported by CGI, New York, USA, the deaths of three Indian nationals i.e. Shri. Vajinder Toor,
Dr. Divyendu Sinha and Shri. Arun Kumar Narote have come to their notice during the recent past on account of professional jealousy,
random attack and planned looting of the shop.
During February, 2012, an Indian was attacked in Port-Au-Prince, Republic of Haiti and the likely motive of attack was robbery. Some
incidents of Indians as well as members of the Missions / Embassy of India, Angola being attacked by robbers and anti-social elements
during last few years have been reported.
One incident has come to notice regarding violence against an Indian national in 2011 and also in the first two months of 2012 in the
consular jurisdiction of CGI, Frankfurt, Germany. The matter regarding the death of Shri Hardip Singh on 22.01.2012 at Siegen (Hesse
Province) is under investigation by the German authorities.
On the basis of information received from the High Commission of India, London, the Mission is aware of stabbing of Mr. Pradeep Reddy,
an Indian student from Hyderabad, who was attacked by fellow Indian students.
The details of attacks on Indian students in the UK since last year (2011) are as follows:-
(i) Mr. Harjeet Singh Nijjar
(ii) Mr. Anuj Bidve
(iii) Mr. Pradeep Reddy (Attacked by Indian Students on 12.2.2012)
Investigations in all the above cases are in progress. Local police are in touch with family members of victims and are keeping their family
members informed of progress in investigation/trial. No specific reason beyond criminality has come to the notice of the Mission behind such
crimes. The assailant in the case of Shri Anuj Bidve, has since been arrested by the police and is facing trial. The Consulate made
arrangements to send his dead body to his hometown. The Government also met the travel expenses of his parents to go to England to
receive the mortal remains and to interact with the university and the police authorities.
As regards other countries no incidents of attacks on Indians have been reported.
(c) to (e) Indian nationals abroad are sensitized by Indian Missions/Posts to maintain caution and vigilance in their general activities to
avoid untoward incidents. Consulate officials are sent to the place of incidence as considered necessary to liaise with the local authorities
and the Indian community, and render all possible assistance. Indian nationals are advised to contact Indian Missions/Posts in case of any
attack or assault. Indian Missions closely monitor the welfare of Indian citizens including their safety. Indian Missions maintain a close
liaison with the local administration/security agencies in the host countries and extend consular access and assistance to the victims as
and when required in all such cases.