According to Victoria Police, three males were detained in connection with an alleged confrontation between pro-Khalistani fans and Indians at Melbourne’s Federation Square late in January.
The police did not say if the three were Khalistani supporters who incited violence during a referendum called by the outlawed Sikhs For Justice to create an independent Sikh state.
A 23-year-old male from Kalkallo has been charged with affray and unlawful assault, as have a 39-year-old man from Strathtulloh and a 36-year-old man from Craigieburn, all of whom have been charged with affray and violent disorder.
All people charged have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 8.
The investigation is still ongoing, and police are working to locate and capture any further accused perpetrators from the day, according to a statement from Victoria Police.
The police, who used pepper spray to disperse the protesters, had previously detained two males, aged 34 and 39, and issued them with a penalty notice for their disruptive behaviour.
On January 29, police reported they were at a Khalistan Referendum event at Federation Square when two fights broke out, one around 12.45 p.m. and the second about 4.30 p.m.
Many males allegedly used flag poles as weapons, causing bodily injury to a number of victims.
A group of males at the gathering also burned an Indian tricolour.
Paramedics treated two individuals on the site, one with a hand laceration to the head and the other with a hand injury. Numerous additional victims were injured and required medical attention.
Police said they moved immediately in both reported incidences to separate and disperse the crowds.
Victoria’s police had previously issued pictures of six males suspected of being engaged in the late January violence as part of their ongoing crackdown on Khalistanis.
