2 min readMelbourneFeb 19, 2014 09:59 AM IST
First published on: Feb 19, 2014 at 09:59 AM IST
Expressing concern over the alleged suicide of an Indian student at a detention centre in Melbourne last week, the community members have sought more information from the government over the tragic incident.
Dalvir Singh, 27, died at the Maribyrnong Immigration detention centre here on February 13 allegedly by hanging himself.
Indian Consulate in Melbourne is in contact with his brother Harpal Singh, who wishes to repatriate dead body to India.
The Indian community has sought details from the federal government as to what and how the tragic incident happened.
Sydney-based cardiologist and prominent community member Yadu Singh said, “Full facts are not out at this stage, but we ask Department of Immigration and Border Protection and Minister Morrison’s office to put Indian community in the loop with full information and take them in confidence.”
Local Indian-origin councillors have raised their voices against the government’s handing into the incident.
Councillors – Tim Singh, Oscar Lobo and Gautum Gupta – have written individually in a locally published daily ‘The Indian Sun’ expressing their frustration and demanding more details.
Lashing out at Immigration Minister, Tim Singh, former mayor of City of Darebin, said, “We need to take a humanitarian approach. Australia needs to be sympathetic towards the plight of students to rebuild confidence in our education industry and build Australia’s reputation. Such a cold response from the government will not help build bridges.”
“The family and the Indian community needs answers about what happened. Why was he detained in this manner and why was he not given support? We need straight answers not secrecy and half-truths. If the government wants to expand Indian student numbers then it needs to show more humanity. Clearly it has failed in its duty of care with this student,” he added.
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