YOUNG Indian university students in Werribee are living in fear, claiming they are the subject of racial abuse and physical attacks.

Concern for their safety escalated last week when one of the students was chased from Werribee station into his home by two men after leaving Werribee train station.

According to the students, the men forced their way into their home, intimidated them and stole a laptop computer.

Werribee police have charged one man with aggravated burglary as a result of the incident.

The students have written to Tarneit MP Tim Pallas in a bid to highlight their concerns.

“They demanded money, abused us racially, tried to rob us and threatened to kill us. These incidents only add to the agony and struggle all international students face in Australia,” the students wrote.

Student Manish Mathew told Star: “It was really terrifying. We really are in a shocking situation.

“We have been receiving racial abuse for some time. Other people have demanded money and cigarettes from us. But for people to come into your home it is just shocking.

“By doing this and forcefully taking our valuables they became a real threat to our home, safety, life and self-respect and national pride. They exchanged a lot of racially abusive words regarding our colour and ethnicity.

“These attacks on Indian students without any provocation are becoming a normal story among our friends in Australia and repeatedly ignored by the responsible authorities.

“We really worry about the security the Australian Government is supposed to assure us as international students.”

The letter was signed by Mr Mathew and two Indian friends.

“We request your support to assure the minimum safety and security to our life and future in Australia,” they wrote.

“We are writing this letter because we’ve still got some belief in the Australian government authorities and if you are not able to provide the minimum security assurance please suggest us with alternatives to defend ourselves.”

Wyndham Police Inspector Bill Weatherly told Star the issue of Indians being attacked and robbed “is a big issue in Maribyrnong/Brimbank. Wyndham has had only a few such incidents”.

Mr Mathew said they had reported the incident to police, who were investigating.

A spokeswoman for Mr Pallas said he was unable to comment as the issue was subject to a police investigation.