Autralian police chief assures security to protesting Indians

MELBOURNE: Australia's police chief today assured stepped up security for Indian students outraged by a spate of racial attacks on them, even as he justified the use of force to break protests by hundreds of demonstrators here.

Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said Australian police was working hard towards ensuring security for Indian students and a representative was being sent to India to discuss security issues with prospective students.

"We have made a number of arrests this week and we will continue to work harder," Overland said.

"We know we need to make security improvements. We will continue to work and I am happy to meet with a delegation from this group (protestors) this week," he said.

Overland also defended action to disperse protesters, who refused to move from one of the busiest streets of Melbourne till early this morning, saying the police was "entirely justified" in using force to break up the protest.

"Violence is not OK... racism is not OK. I have come here because I understand your concerns... you have made your point. We need to work together on this issue... but now I ask you to go home," he told the protestors.

Overland said there was some force used after students were given the opportunity to leave and they refused to do so.

About 18 youths were detained for allegedly "breaching peace" during the rally as protestors accused the police of "ramrodding" them to break up their sit-in.