The incident, which occured at 5.15pm in front of dozens of stunned passers-by, was allegedly a retribution attack by a group of fruitpickers, of Indian extraction, who claim they had not been paid for work by the man. A witness told The Area News some of the group were carrying bedposts, which had been fashioned into weapons. "I first saw the group walking past Danny's Store and decided to follow them because I could tell something was up," the witness, who did not wish to be named, said.

"They went up near Eagle Boys in top block and walked straight up to the two Afghani guys and one of them was smashed straight in the head by a bedpost.

"It was so hard I could hear the blow from my car, and the music was on."

A number of the group then began kicking and punching the man on the ground, the witness said. The victim � a man in his 20s � received deep lacerations to the head and face and was taken by ambulance to Griffith Base Hospital.

Inspector Tony Reneker from Griffith Police called on witnesses to come forward.

"Police received a complaint of an assault and are investigating the matter," Insp Reneker said. "There is an allegation that it was a dispute about money owed and there were allegedly weapons produced."

No arrests have yet been made.

Anyone with information should call Griffith Police on 6969 4299.