External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj says the situation is being watched, and urges them not to panic

Against the backdrop of the attacks on Indian students in Milan, the External Affairs Ministry has urged citizens in Italy not to panic.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has received a detailed report on the situation even as the students met Indian diplomats.

While assuring the Indian students of their safety, the Minister said she was overseeing the situation.

“I have got the detailed report [on the attacks in Milan]. Please do not worry. I am monitoring the situation personally,” Ms. Swaraj said in a social media message.

The Indian Students Association for Polimi (Politechnic University of Milan) said two incidents took place over the past few days in which a group of people beat up a student and snatched his mobile phone and another student was assaulted by a gang.

Following these incidents, the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Milan on Monday issued an advisory to Indian nationals and students urging them not to panic.

Advisory issued

“The Consulate has received reports of the unfortunate incidents of attacks on Indian students in Milan. All Indian students are urged not to panic. The Consulate is taking up this matter with the highest level of law and order authorities in Milan,” the Consulate said in the advisory posted on social media platforms.

However, G.V. Sandeep of the students’ association said the investigation needs to be completed and avoided describing the attacks as ‘racist’.

“Following the attacks, locals have reached out to us offering to help. Our community is widely appreciated in Milan; even the media in the city has enquired and extended all sorts of help to create awareness, so I want to state clearly that Italy remains safe for Indians and Indian students,” Mr. Sandeep said while explaining that the attacks were unlikely to be part of a racist plot.

‘Racist’ angle denied

Mr. Sandeep pointed out that the identity of the attackers was yet to be determined and they could also be outsiders or migrants. “Therefore we should not term the attacks as ‘racist’ as yet,” he said speaking on phone from Milan.