Following crime incidents targeting Indians in New Zealand, community leaders Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Claudette Hauiti are organising a walk on 7 March to “Claim Back Safe Streetsâ€.
The walk for “safer communities” will be followed by an event behind Auckland’s Papatoetoe Library to raise awareness.
Papatoetoe witnessed a vicious attack earlier in January, when Praveet Kaur was savagely assaulted in daylight by a stranger as she walked down a street in her neighbourhood.
She was not far from her home while a group of 15 neighbours watched as she was brutally punched in the head and face by the attacker.
The only help the watchers offered was dialling 111. Her repeated plea for help fell on deaf ears. Praveet fractured her nose and eye socket, and ended up with bruised eyes and swollen hands.
In the wee hours of a Saturday in November last year, 25-year-old Tarun Asthana was mercilessly beaten outside McDonald’s in downtown Auckland – apparently because he complimented a young woman. The trainee teacher was punched so hard by Grenville David McFarland, a navy sailor, that Tarun’s head hit the pavement. Tarun succumbed to fatal injuries. Grenville has been allowed to remain on duty.
Leave a Reply