Indian students' murder: Motive still unclear

A four-agency task force probing the killing of two Indian doctoral students at a Louisiana State University apartment has intensified investigations, but has so far been unable to identify the motive behind the double homicide as two senior Indian officials reached the campus to take the stock of the situation.

First Secretary Alok Pandey from Indian embassy in Washington and Consul K P Pillai from the Houston Consulate reached Baton Rogue to assess the situation and render any help that the families of victims might require.

Investigators from Louisiana State University Police Department, Louisiana State Police, Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rogue Parish Shariff's office interviewed all residents of Edward Gay Apartments where Kiran Kumar Allam, 33, and Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma, 31, were killed.

The investigators also talked with the spouses as also family members of the slain students and searched their residences and cars looking for clues.

Police are trying to locate three or four black men who were seen hurriedly leaving the area in a car with headlights out.

A local newspaper The Advocate reported that police found some items in the apartment missing but did not elaborate. The apartment is still considered an active crime scene, guarded by police and spouses have not been allowed to go in so far.

Komma of Kurnool, a biology student, and Allam of Hyderabad, a chemistry student, were murdered in Allam's apartment. Each had been shot in the head once and the murders came to light when Allam's pregnant wife returned home.

Stating that motive for the crime has not so far been determined, Baton Rouge police Sgt Don Kelly said they are not ruling out anything in or out at this time as enough evidence is not available.

Police also faced a new dilemma as final exams were over and students who might have information useful to investigators were leaving for the holiday break.

Meanwhile, Rajaiah Allam, father of Allam, was coming to the US to join his wife and two daughters, who are already in the United States.

The Indian officials earlier discussed with Chancellor of the Louisiana State University Sean O'Keefe various issues connected with murder of two Indian students, including the continuing investigations and assistance the University authorities might need.

They also had discussions with the members of the task force investing the crime and senior law enforcement officials of the LSU, city and State police to discuss the security issues and direction the investigation is taking.

Pandey and Pillai had meetings with community leaders and students and assured them all help that the spouses and families of slain students might need.

O'Keefe also told the officials that the University is actively working to support the families. During their stay here, Pandey and Pillai would also liaise with various official agencies to expedite process of sending the bodies back to India. O'Keefe told them that the university is also trying to expedite the process.

Meanwhile, LSU foundation, which has established Komma and Allam Support Fund, plans to divide the contributions received equally between the two.