Students welfare in U.S. taken care of - Pranab

[sajiv]

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that he had directed the Indian Mission and Posts in the U.S. to be "especially vigilant" about the welfare of the Indian students there in view of concern expressed here about the killings and assaults on them.

Quoting a report from the Indian Embassy in Washington, Mr. Mukherjee denied that Indian students, including those from Andhra Pradesh, were being "specifically targeted".

No set pattern
Replying to Congress Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao's letter wherein he had alleged that students from Andhra Pradesh were targeted in U.S. and as many as seven of them had been killed since April 2007, Mr. Mukherjee said: "there appeared to be no set pattern or common cause of death. We are advised that it appears highly improbable that students from India, including from Andhra Pradesh, are being specifically targeted."

It might be seen that while some of the victims were from Andhra Pradesh, the incidents had occurred across a wide geographical area.

Criminal actions
Four of the incidents appear to be the result of criminal actions and robbery had been established as the motive in two of the cases. Arrests had been made in both cases.

The Minister claimed that in every case, the Indian Mission had found the U.S. law enforcement authorities cooperative. The Indian Mission and Posts there were taking care to ensure that necessary guidance, support and outreach to Indian students and Indian American community organisations were provided.

Safety and security
Indian students were encouraged to register themselves on arrival and also guided in taking decisions relating to accommodation etc., for their own safety and security, he said.