Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday received a call from his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi where the latter expressed his concern over the brutal killing of 29-year-old Indian-origin bus driver Manmeet Alisher.
Manmeet Alisher, a prominent member of the Indian community in Australia on Saturday while being on duty as a bus driver in Brisbane.
A 48-year-old man identified as Anthony O'Donohue poured some flammable liquid on him right after boarding the bus.
Queensland Police said that ‘Manmeet stood no chance' after being doused in that liquid.
Manmeet’s death has shocked the Indian community in Australia and has also made headlines in India.
Earlier on Sunday, India’s Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj tweeted saying that India will take up Manmeet’s death with the highest authorities in Australia.
And soon after, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Turnbull to wish him Diwali greetings where he also conveyed his concern.
A press release read “Prime Minister Modi also conveyed a sense of concern being felt in India over the recent brutal killing of Mr. Manmeet Alisher, a person of Indian origin, in Australia.”
PM Turnbull expressed his shock at the killing and conveyed to PM Modi that the matter is being investigated.
Alisher was a well-known singer in the Punjabi community and was a regular performer at events organised by the Indian community. Alisher died on the spot while several passengers on board the bus at the time managed to escape through the rear door.
Local community held a vigil
On Saturday, bus drivers on the job across Brisbane wore black armbands as a sign of respect for their dead colleague, his friends and family.
A flag also flew at half mast over City Hall in the Brisbane CBD.
A memorial, attended by over a hundred people, was held at the spot, where Manmeet was killed in Moorooka in Brisbane, placing flowers, lighting candles and chanting.
A local Sikh gurudwara also held a special memorial service for Alisher on Saturday.
Manmeet’s brother in Australia to ‘take body home’
Vigil held in the loving memory of Manmeet Alisher Source: Photo supplied by Tony Robertson
Manmeet’s brother Amit arrived with a relative in Brisbane to take Manmeet’s mortal remains to India.
His brother told the media that his parents didn’t know of Manmeet’s death and were told that he is still in coma after the accident.
NO APPARENT MOTIVE
Police has earlier said that there was “no apparent motive” including terror or race related in the killing of the Indian-origin man.
