INDIA says the arrest of a teen over the death Nitin Garg has had a “positive impact” on Aussie relations amid widespread media interest on the subcontinent.
Police ruled out any racist motive in the attack yesterday after homicide squad detectives yesterday charged a boy, 15, with the murder the Indian student.
Mr Garg was stabbed in Cruickshank Park, West Footscray, on January 2, and staggered into a nearby Hungry Jack's, where he worked.
There, he collapsed before horrified colleagues.
Police arrested the teenager at Yarraville yesterday.
Overnight, Indian overseas affairs minister Vay'alar Ravi, who is touring Australia, told the ABC that the country was reassured by the arrest and now believed the incidence of violence against Indian students was waning.
"I can't say that is completely gone, but it has come down," he told the ABC.
"The police actions and the determination has made some positive impact, so I welcome that positive impact.
The Press Trust of India, reporting on the arrest, said the incident earlier prompted Indian external affairs minister SM Krishna to describe it as a "heinous crime on humanity" and "an uncivilised brutal attack on innocent Indians".
Soon afterward, the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria issued statements in India to hose down reports by Indian media fanning speculation of a racist attack.
National Indian newspaper The Hindu is also gave the arrest prominent coverage saying the death had earlier “sent shock waves in India, threatening to derail India-Australia ties”.
The Times of India’s homepage report also linked coverage to a March story in which Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith conceded that Australia's reputation had been damaged by attacks against Indian students.
Express India said Indian community leaders in Australia had welcomed the breakthrough, and praised the efforts of authorities to improve safety for Indian students.
The report was also covered by the Indian Express, One India and the Deccan Herald.
The dramatic breakthrough in the six-month long investigation came at 9am yesterday when homicide squad detectives knocked on the door of the boy's Melbourne home.
During a short filing hearing, the boy continually looked across to his parents, who were in court to support him.
His mother dabbed her eyes with a tissue throughout the five-minute hearing, holding a hand to her mouth. His father sat unmoved.
A prosecutor told the magistrate the police brief of evidence would be served by September 9.
The youth is next due to appear in court in October.
Mr Garg's death set off protests in India and locally among those who complained that Indians were targets on Melbourne streets because of their race.
"In our inquiries at this stage, we don't believe (Mr Garg's death) was racially motivated," the homicide squad's Det Insp Bernie Edwards said. He said the crime was not gang-related.
"It's relatively clear why it happened and how it happened. But I won't speculate on the motive," Det Insp Edwards said.
"This may be one of those occasions where people can learn a lesson about why people shouldn't be armed with knives," he said.
The weapon used in the killing has not been found.
Mr Garg, 21, of Newport, had been walking to Hungry Jack's, where he was working to pay for his studies.
In February, police appealed for help in identifying a youth seen fighting in Cruickshank Park around the time of the stabbing. They said they believed the killer was a regular customer at the restaurant.
Det Insp Edwards congratulated the investigating team, who he said had been under a lot of pressure.
"Like any homicide, we will keep going until we solve it. However, there was a lot of pressure and I congratulate Sen-Sgt Dave Snare and his team in their investigation," Det-Insp Edwards said.
He said 15 detectives were involved in the investigation.
His murder had caused a furore in India with the Indian government and the country's media blasting Victoria Police for insisting the murder was not a racial attack.
The issue strained diplomatic relations between Australia and India, with the Indian government issuing a travel advisory encouraging Indian students to take precautions if they planned to live in Victoria.
Det-Insp Edwards said police were continuing to talk to a number of other people, but refused to say if more arrests were imminent.
"We are extremely pleased for Nitin Garg's family and the Indian community here in Australia," he said.
"It's relatively clear why it happened and how it happened, but I won't speculate on the motive."
Mr Garg's death followed a spate of attacks on Indian students
Source:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/year-old-arrested-in-relation-to-death-of-indian-student-nitin-garg/story-e6frf7jo-1225880898698
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