Kerala man serious after assault in Melbourne

Melbourne/Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 13 (IANS) An Indian from Kerala was seriously injured when he was attacked by a group of suspected drug addicts in Melbourne while returning home from work Sunday night, a spokesperson of the Indian consulate said.

Biju K. Joseph, who hails from Alappuzha in Kerala, had to be operated for head injuries at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and is now in the intensive care unit.

'We have been in touch with the victim, Biju K. Joseph, who was attacked Sunday night near his house in the Albion suburb,' according to a spokesperson of the Indian Consulate in Melbourne.

'He sustained head injuries and has undergone surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The doctors say his condition is stable.

'Joseph is here on a spouse dependent visa and his wife is on a student visa and enrolled in a course in community welfare programme,' the spokesperson said.

Thiruvallam Bhasi, an associate of Joseph, told IANS in Thiruvananthapuram over phone from Melbourne: 'Joseph was returning after work last night and had got out from the St.Albunce Railway Station. He was heading towards his home in Melbourne when a group of four people attacked him. He was seriously hurt and is now in the intensive care unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.'

Bhasi edits two monthly magazines in Melbourne and is vice-president of the World Malayalee Council in Melbourne.

The Council has complained to the Indian consulate general in Melbourne.

'Anita Nair, the consul general, is seized of the increasing attacks on the Indian student community and is visiting Joseph tomorrow (Tuesday) in the hospital. The attacks have increased and they are all by drug addicts. Two months back another Keralite was badly injured by such people,' added Bhasi.

Joseph's wife Suma Biju is a nurse who was working in the Middle East before she arrived in Melbourne three months back. While Suma was studying, Joseph was engaged in part time work.