Shooting of two Indians in US bar sparks outrage

THE SHOOTING of two Indian men in a crowded Kansas City bar has sparked outrage in their home country.

The Indian government has rushed diplomats to the US state to monitor the progress of the investigation.

Jaganmohan Reddy, father of Alok Madasani, an engineer who was injured in the shooting on Wednesday night, said he thought it was a hate crime.

He said such incidents have increased after the recent political changes in the United States.

The second man, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, also an engineer and a Hindu, was fatally shot. He came from Hyderabad, the capital of southern Telangana state, said Indian external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup.

Two Indian consulate officials from Houston and Dallas have been sent to Kansas City to meet with Mr Madasani and facilitate the return of Mr Kuchibhotla’s body to India. The suspect, Adam Purinton, was charged on Thursday with murder and attempted murder.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American who came to the defence of the Indians in the bar, was hailed a hero by local media. He was hurt in the incident.