Security patrolman Ramandeep Singh was murdered while on duty at an Auckland park in an assault the police are now describing as “callous and unnecessary”.
The 25-year-old from the northern Indian state of Punjab was found dead at Royal Reserve park in Beauchamp Drive in Massey on December 18.
Detective Inspector Proctor says, “We believe there was more than one person present at the time of the assault and we are appealing to those present to do the right thing and come forward.
“This was an unnecessary and callous attack on a person going about his duty in the community.”
Proctor adds the police are now working with Ramandeep’s family and friends to repatriate his body back to his village of Kotli Shahpur.
One of Ramandeep’s friends says the police have told family and friends that the young man saw a group of men indulging in prohibited activities at the park and he told them off.
“The attackers took offense and began raining punches on Ramandeep. He was a skinny man and couldn’t take on the assailants,” says the friend who prefers he is not named.
The police have arrested a 26-year-old on charges of murder. Mr Singh recalls his late friend as a god-fearing devout who would visit the gurdwara regularly.
“He has never done anybody wrong. He was just doing his job. It is shocking that nobody is safe even while at work. We want justice.”
Back in Punjab, his father Dhana Singh still can’t believe he was murdered in a country he would often describe as “safe”.
“He [Ramandeep] never had a fight with anyone in his life. He used to tell his mother how safe New Zealand is, and the police in New Zealand are so efficient and prompt,” Dhana was quoted as saying by news website Stuff.
“I can’t believe he is killed in a country he always thought was so safe.”
Ramadeep Singh’s mother was inconsolable as she tried to make sense of the tragedy. “He would tell me not to worry about him…and that he is doing fine,” she said.
His mother recalled her last conversation with her only son. “I used to talk to him every day. He used to tell me don’t worry about me, I am fine. It was only on Saturday that I didn’t speak to him,” she told journalists.
A security patrolman working with Armourguard, Ramandeep came to New Zealand about five-and-a-half years ago.
Her mother said she got to know of his death through his friends on Sunday night. “He was such a good boy...a good son...why would somebody do this to him. He had no enemies. I want justice for him and want the culprits to get punished.”
Armourguard's general manager Shane O’Halloran earlier expressed profound sorrow as he confirmed that the victim was a valued staff member employed through a contractor.
The police have thanked the community “who have already come forward”, and Detective Inspector Proctor is calling on anyone who was in Royal Reserve park or the wider area, including in and around Reverie Place, on Sunday night between 11.30pm and just after midnight, to come forward.
“You can call us via 105 or provide information online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using Update My Report,” he says.
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