Venkat Raman
The murder of an international student from India in broad daylight in the busy Central Business District of Auckland last week has raised concerns among the members of the community.
However, as an isolated incident, which occurred shortly after midday on Friday, May 23, 2015, it is likely to be relationship issue and as such evoked sympathy and helpless anger, especially among international students.
Twenty-two-year old Parmita Rani was reportedly stabbed several times on that fateful afternoon with scores of students and others present within the premises.
She later died of related injuries at the Auckland hospital.
Another man is said to have been hurt in the incident, which occurred in a building situated in the corner of Auckland’s busy Karangahape Road and Liverpool Streets, close to the Upper Queen Street.
The incident occurred around 1215 pm outside the AWI International Education Group School where Parmita was an IT student. She is believed to have lived in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa since 2013.
Man charged
The Auckland District Court charged a 29-year-old man with murder on August 25 and remanded him to custody, granting him temporary name suppression.
It is understood that he is also from India and a resident of Manurewa.
According to the information given to the Police, the accused offender was waiting for Parmita to come out of the School where she was writing her examination papers.
TVNZ’s One News quoted Joe Johar, a witness, as saying that he had seen a man who was stabbed in the neck and was bleeding heavily.
Police Northern Communications Centre Inspector Kerry Watson said that the Police were not seeking any other persons in relation to this incident.
Friendly woman
Comments posted by the School on a Facebook page described Parmita as a “friendly and smiling woman.’
“Let us offer a prayer to our beloved Parmita. Let her smiling face remind us as of how good of a person and a friend she was to everyone. Let us also pray for her family in this time of grief. May we also be reminded of the good memories we have shared with her,” it said.
Auckland City District Police Commander Superintendent Richard Chambers, Asian Liaison Officer Jessica Phuang, Wellington based National Ethnic Advisor Inspector Rakesh Naidoo have been in consultation with the Indian and international student communities to find ways and means of improving safety and security of students.
Safety measures
Indian Newslink whose Editor is on the Asian Advisory Board of Auckland City District Police, South Asian Advisory Board of Counties Manukau District Police and the National Ethnic Focus Forum of Police Commissioner Mike Bush, has been working with the Police, government officials and community organisations to address issues.
Wellington based Indian High Commission Second Secretary and Head of Chancery Sandeep Sood has assured that the Indian High Commission is always keen to serve the Indian community and that he and his officials would facilitate quick processing of all formalities and offer timely assistance to the families and friends of victims.
