Indian students on Thursday alleged that Lebanese youths were behind the attacks on them here as they took to streets for the third consecutive night protesting against racial attacks.

The spate of racial attacks against Indians spread to Sydney after members of the community were targeted in Melbourne.

Scores of Indian students on Wednesday night took to the streets of Harris Park in Sydney for third consecutive night to protest racially-motivated attacks against them by Lebanese youths. The protesters alleged that police were ignoring their pleas for protection.

The protests came a day after PM Kevin Rudd warned Indian students against “vigilante action” to prevent attacks against them. Indian protesters continue to say they were being attacked by Lebanese youths. A man, who took part in the protest, was issued with a court notice for carrying an offensive weapon after being allegedly found with a piece of timber during a police search.

Meanwhile, Parramatta city council held a meeting with police, India’s consul general and members of Sydney’s Indian community, with organisers saying students had agreed to stop protest rallies. Earlier on Tuesday, over 70 Indians had gathered at same place after rumours of a man being killed in an attack on an Indian cleaner in Warwick Farm.