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Briefing Points by MEA Official Spokesperson on the shooting at Virginia Tech University

New Delhi
April 18, 2007

The Minister (Consular) and Minister (Community Affairs), Embassy of India, Washington had rushed to Virginia Tech University yesterday itself to assist the families of the missing/deceased Indians. The officers from the Embassy met the Indian students and reassured them at a meeting arranged by the University authorities.

Four members of Prof. Lognanthan’s family (who was a US citizen with OCI status) are being provided passports from the Passport Office in Chennai. Thereafter, they will be issued visas on the spot from the US Consulate in Chennai. Ticketing arrangements are being done by the Passport Office and the tickets are being paid for by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Embassy of India, Washington will make arrangements to receive the family in the US.

The body of Ms. Minal Panchal, a first year Building Science student in the Faculty of Agriculture, has been positively identified by her mother. The body is expected to be handed over in two to three days. Her mother who is a Mumbai-based widow and her brother-in-law who is based in New Jersey have yet to take a decision on whether they will transport the body back to India. The Mission will coordinate transfer of the body, if necessary. Principal Resident Commissioner, Gujarat has been informed of the developments.