The Indian community in Christchurch is still reeling from shock after an elderly visitor was killed in an assault on April 7, 2023.
Mewa Singh from Haryana in northern India was visiting his son when he was attacked near Linwood Park in the evening. He was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to his injuries two days later.
On April 16, Constable Hadleigh White, Ethnic Liaison Officer, visited Gurudwara Singh Sabha at Ferry Road to address community members among concerns the assault might have been hate crime. White assured the incident had no racial undertones, while also advising people should taking usual precaution to prevent untoward incidents while at home or outside.
Singh and his wife were visiting New Zealand to see their son and a newborn grandchild. They hadn’t seen each other in a long time due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. Mewa Singh was repatriated to India on April 14, after an online fundraiser by the Indian community raised more than $16,000 to help his grieving family travel to India for his last rights and to cover other related expenses.
The incident triggered a range of emotions in the community, with residents expressing sadness and shock over the act of violence. The accused has been charged with murder and he is currently in remand, with an interim name suppression until his next court appearance scheduled on April 28.
Talking about the Linwood incident, Constable White said, “While I won’t go much in the details of the incident, I can reassure you that it was not a hate crime or crime against the ethnic community. It was an isolated incident between the people involved.”
He added, “If anyone in the community has any safety concerns, I am here to speak to you anytime. If you feel unsafe at any stage, I will encourage you to call 111 and ask for help. If it is not an emergency, you can call 105 and report it.”
Responding to a query by The Indian Weekender, Christchurch Metro Area Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said, “We acknowledge the deep trauma this incident has had on not only the family and friends of the victim, but also the wider community. Our thoughts are with them. Everyone - locals and visitors alike - should feel welcome and safe on our city’s streets and in our green spaces. We ask the community to report any suspicious activity immediately and know that police will respond and take all reports seriously.”
During his visit to the gurudwara, Constable White spoke to the community about the importance of taking precautions. “Keep in mind simple things like if you are in your backyard and there’s nobody else in the house, lock your front door,” he said.
He added, “If you’re going out, do plan your trip and communicate your plans with others. Do plan if you will be using public transport. Check if the buses are running this late at night or how often they are running. The second part is communication. When travelling, it’s good to let people know where you are going and when you are going there. When you arrive at your destination, message someone to say you have arrived.”
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