NZ intensifies search for missing Indian student

Wellington, Oct 17: The New Zealand authorities have intensified the search for the missing Indian student Srikanth Rayadurgam, who they say might have been under pressure at home and university, finding himself short of money and failing exams shortly before disappearing.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Joe Aumua, who is leading the police search, yesterday said new information was 'trickling in' and was helping build a clearer picture of Srikanth and his lifestyle.

"While his disappearance is still very much a mystery, we have more information now than we did two weeks ago about what sort of person he is," Aumua said.

A friend told the Weekend Herald that Srikanth had complained about family pressure. He had recently failed two papers on his culinary arts diploma at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and had been placed on curfew.

"Srikanth only earned about 300 dollars a week and had to pay two-thirds to his student loan, so it was hard for him to save any money," said the friend, who did not want to be identified.

"I know in this difficult time, all Srikanth's family and the Indian community want to hear are just good things about the guy. I think it is important the public get the full picture if we genuinely want to find him."

But Srikanth's brother-in-law Nagesh Kakanoor said these suggestions were 'absolutely false'.

Twenty-three-year-old Srikanth Rayadurgam was last seen at the waterfront in Auckland harbour.

A day after his disappearance, cops discovered what is believed to be the youth's shoe on the walkway, his bag and coat stuffed under a rock near the water, and his wallet dumped on a cycle track in West Hamin Marina.

ANI