Among the nine people of Indian origin who are missing since the Friday shootout at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, one has been identified as Farhaj Ahsan.
Ahsan, who belongs to Hyderabad, had gone to the Christchurch mosque to offer the Friday prayers when the gunman opened fire on the worshippers. Since then, his family has not heard from him. Ahsan’s father Mohammed Sayeeduddin has made an appeal to the government to help find him.
READ | 9 Indian-origin people missing after Christchurch mosque shootings
“We are still waiting for information. He is still listed as missing,” an anxious Sayeeduddin told IANS on Saturday.
Ahmed Jahangir, also from Hyderabad, was injured in the attack. Jahangir’s brother Khurshid Jahangir has appealed to the government to expedite the visa process.
“We haven’t been able to get proper information yet. I request the government to help me to get a visa so I can travel to New Zealand to take care of my brother,” he said.
READ| New Zealand terror attack suspect appears in court, charged with murder
“As per updates received from multiple sources, there are 9 missing persons of Indian nationality/ origin. Official confirmation is still awaited. It is a huge crime against humanity. Our prayers are with their families,” said Sanjiv Kohli, the Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand.
As per updates received from multiple sources there are 9 missing persons of indian nationality/ origin. Official confirmation still awaited. Huge crime against humanity. Our prayers with their families
— sanjiv kohli (@kohli_sanjiv) March 15, 2019
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Member of Parliament (MP) and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi sought the help of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao to help the concerned families’ travel to New Zealand.
Swaraj has said that any Indian caught up in the massacre and requiring any assistance could contact the Indian High Commission in New Zealand. She also shared two telephone numbers for the purpose.
“We are shocked to hear about the shooting in Christchurch. Any Indians needing assistance should contact us at 021803899 or 021850033,” she tweeted.
Any Indian requiring assistance should contact Indian High Commission in New Zealand on 021803899 or 021850033. @IndiainNZ @WIAWellington @kohli_sanjiv
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 15, 2019
Owaisi thanked Swaraj for her response. He tweeted, “I’d like to thank Sushma Swaraj for personally updating me about MEA’s efforts in assisting Ahmed’s and Ahsan’s families to reach New Zealand on time. We are in touch with MEA and they have assured us that they’re making all efforts to get the visa process expedited.”