The Indian community in New Zealand is coming together to pool money to support the family of Ramandeep Singh who was murdered on duty in Auckland on December 18.
Armourguard, the security company Ramandeep worked for, launched a fundraiser on December 22 (https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supporting-ramandeep-singhs-family-in-their-time). By Saturday morning, $9,974 had been donated by 143 people.
Security patrolman Ramandeep was murdered at a park in Massey in an assault the police have described as “callous and unnecessary”.
A group of men battered the 25-year-old to death when he told them off for indulging in prohibited activities at the park, say police. So far, one person has been arrested.
Ramandeep belonged to Kotli Shahpur village in the northern Indian state of Punjab. He came to New Zealand in 2018 to pursue higher education.
Armourguard officials say they are providing financial help to repatriate his body to India for last rites. The money collected through the fundraiser will be sent to Ramandeep’s family in their time of need.
Back home, Ramandeep’s 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.