South Asian students attacked in London

London: A group of South Asian Muslim students were attacked near City University in London, ranked among the best 500 universities in the world, last Thursday.

At about 8 in the evening, a group of 30 youths attacked the Muslim students with poles, bricks and sticks, shouting racist abuse. Three of them were also stabbed.

Police have arrested three youths aged 17 to 19 and have stepped up patrolling in the area.

They have not confirmed how many of the students attacked are of Indian origin, but eye-witnesses say the Muslim students injured were largely Pakistani and Indian.

The students were targeted just outside the university that is one of the most ethnically diverse in Britain, with a high Indian student population.

Arsalan Nasser, a member of the university's Islamic society, says the students were going home after their prayers in the university's prayer room when they were attacked.

There had been several confrontations between Muslim students and a gang in Northeast London.

There is an air of anxiety and fear among the Asian students on the campus.

"This university is one of the most ethnically diverse. Twenty per cent of the student population is Asian. They are shocked," Nikhil Raj Cumlajee, President of the students' union, City University.