[publication.samachar.com]

Melbourne, "August 12: A 23-year-old Indian taxi driver was verbally abused and attacked by a passenger in Melbourne, latest in a series of targeting cabbies from South Asian countries.

Lakhvir Singh who picked up a passenger late night on weekend was attacked by the commuter when he got out of the cab to close the door left open by the man.

Singh was repeatedly kicked and punched by the passenger waiting outside for him who had also hit him in the hands with the credit card imprinter from the cab after Singh asked for the fare, reports said adding he has deep cuts on his fingers.

Superintendent Chris Ferguson, Victoria police’s liaison officer for the taxi industry, denied any racial motivation in the incident. However, Singh claimed his attacker had racially taunted him, calling him “his little slave” while on the phone to a friend.

Taxi drivers were sometimes viewed as soft targets but police had a good record in catching the attackers, Ferguson quoted by ‘The Age’ that such attacks were detrimental to the taxi industry as a lot of good drivers are leaving because of the dangers.

In the first week of the month two Indian drivers were attacked and robbed at knifepoint while more than 10 Melbourne cabbies have been robbed mostly at night since driver Jalvinder Singh suffered near fatal injuries three months ago that was resulted in a city blockade by taxi drivers here.