Australian PM condemns attacks on Indians

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has now tried to reach out to the protesting Indian community in his country.

However, it seems that Indians aren't the only ones that are protesting. The students union in Melbourne have expressed solidarity with their Indian counterparts, saying the police behaved excessively.

Melbourne police clashed with Indian protestors, some 6000 who had blocked traffic in one of the city's busiest streets all night. They're angry with the growing racist attacks.

The police are now being criticised for being too harsh. Eighteen students were detained and it's not clear when they'll be released.

"He just pressed my nose and mouth together. I couldn't breath for a while. And just everything turned to black," said an unidentified male.

"There were blows, as I said, because arms had been linked and there was a lot of resistance going on," said Victorian police commissioner Simon Oberlander.

In Parliament, Australian  Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tried to do some damage control.

"I speak on behalf of all Australians when I say that we deplore and condemn these attacks. These are senseless acts of violence. Those who carry out these attacks stand condemned. I said to Prime Minister Singh that the more than 90,000 Indian students in Australia are welcome guests in our country," said Rudd.