Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 8 (IANS) Upset over the 'act poor' advise to Indian students in Australia by the Victoria police chief, students from the community have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to intervene.

Thiruvallom Bhasi, editor of Indian Student magazine published from Melbourne, said the Indian student community was pained by the remark of Simon Overland, chief commissioner of Police of Victoria.

'I have written to Prime Minister Singh to intervene. I have also written to Overland (police commissioner) to withdraw his remarks and render an apology,' Bhasi told IANS over phone from Melbourne.

Overland had last week advised Indian students to 'act poor' and avoid living in high-risk suburbs to minimise the chances of being assaulted.

Bhasi said he has pointed to Overland that his controversial statement was even more painful than the spate of attacks on Indians.

'Statements like these from people of your position and authority would actually be a motivating factor for the assaulters of Indian students, that nothing can happen to them despite violating the law of the land,' reads Bhasi's letter to Overland.