Indian student in coma after being assaulted by thugs in Australia

A 20-year-old Indian student in Australia suffered serious injuries after he was brutally attacked with stick and robbed by thugs in Melbourne.

Manrajwinder Singh from Reservoir landed in the hospital with serious injuries after a gang attacked him on Sunday

According to a local police statement on Monday, the man was sitting near the footpath with two other friends, east of Princess Bridge, when they were approached by eight men, perceived to be of African appearance. The offenders assaulted Singh by kicking him on the head and hitting him with a stick.

The group then punched his friend on the face, the statement said, adding the offenders stole the victims' mobile phones and fled. The third man, a 20-year-old from Noble Park, was not assaulted and managed to run away to seek help.

Singh was taken to The Alfred hospital where he remains in an induced coma.

Another man suffered swelling and abrasions to his face. He was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Melbourne detectives have released the CCTV images of eight men and a woman who they believe may be able to assist with their investigation. Singh was in Melbourne to study accounts.

The incident has been described as a cowardly attack by the Detective Senior Constable Adam Foley. Foley said, "It was just an opportunistic target from the offenders, they've just seen them there and approached them and done what they've done."

Meanwhile, victim's brother Yanwinder Singh has pleaded for justice.

"He said 'I want to see the city, I haven't seen Melbourne city I've been working and studying,'" his brother was quoted by The Age report. "He said I want to see the city I'm not a child and I said ok then go."

"I just want these culprits to be punished, that's all, they should get caught so that my brother, he should get justice."

Image: Manrajwinder Singh was beaten up on his first night out in Melbourne

Photograph: Courtesy Victoria Police