Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, Inc.
GOPIO International
P.O Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904, USA
E-mail: gopio@optonline.net,www.gopio.net
PRESS RELEASE
GOPIO CONDEMNS THE HATE CRIME ON US INDIANS IN THE STRONGEST TERM
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has condemned the recent shooting death of Indian American Srinivas Kuchibhotla of Kansas. GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said that the “apparent hate crime” is vicious and GOPIO stands together with the victims’ families at their time of distress.
The 32-year-old Indian engineer Kuchibhotla, who was working in aviation systems for Olathe-based Garmin Ltd, died after he was shot by navy veteran Adam Purinton who, according to witnesses, yelled “get out of my country” and “terrorist” at a bar on the night of February 22nd, 2017 before opening fire.
Kuchibhotla’s colleague Alok Madasani, also an engineer from Hyderabad, was critically injured in the attack. Another bar patron, 24-year old Ian Grillot, who had tried to apprehend the gunman, was also injured in the shooting and reportedly put his life in risk to save the Indians.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and families shaken by the shooting in Kansas and we do not have place for senseless acts of violence in our country,’ said GOPIO President Niraj Baxi.
GOPIO news release stated that any act of violence fueled by hatred, xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. The local and federal law enforcement must investigate the shooting as a hate crime.
“The FBI and other state agencies must initiate quick legal proceedings against the murderer and the incident must be treated as a hate crime,” said GOPIO Vice President Ram Gadhavi.
We also want White House to issue a statement against such senseless violence against immigrants who are legally in America and contribute to the economy of our country,” said Dr. Rajeev Mehta, GOPIO’s International Coordinator for North America.
GOPIO has also urged the community to sign the petition to the White House https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/indian-engineers-target-hate-crime.
GOPIO Chapters have also planned Candlelight Vigils around the US. One such vigil has been planned in Riverside, Southern California by GOPIO-Inland Empire Chapter on March 5th.
GOPIO, with its many chapters in the USA and other parts of the world, has been working for the welfare of Diaspora Indians since 1989. It has taken up issues of the Indian Diaspora and has been promoting its interest and that of Indian around the world.
Contact: GOPIO International, Tel: 203-329-8010, gopio@optonline.net.