The harrowing ordeal faced by the parents of Abdul Mohammed Arfath, a 25-year-old Indian student pursuing his master’s degree in IT at Cleveland University, Ohio, has sent shockwaves through both local and international communities.
The distressing ransom call they received, coupled with the ominous threat to sell their son’s kidney if the demanded ransom wasn’t met, paints a chilling picture of the dangers faced by students studying abroad.
Arfath’s disappearance, which occurred on March 7th, has left his family in a state of anguish and uncertainty. His last known location at a Walmart store in Cleveland is a haunting reminder of the abrupt and mysterious circumstances surrounding his vanishing.
The ransom call, a sinister twist in an already distressing situation, has further compounded the anguish of his loved ones. Arfath’s family’s courageous efforts to seek assistance through social media, with copies of his passport and appeals directed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, underscore the desperate measures taken in the absence of concrete leads.
The plea for help extends beyond national borders, with the Indian Council in Chicago being approached in the hope of securing any possible assistance in locating their missing son.
The swift response from US authorities underscores the gravity of the situation. A missing person complaint was filed with Cleveland police, and investigations were initiated to trace Arfath’s whereabouts. Descriptions of his last attire provide vital clues for potential sightings as his loved ones cling to hope for his safe return.
Arfath’s case is not an isolated incident. It comes amidst a string of unsettling occurrences involving Indian students in the US, including the recent discovery of 20-year-old Abhijeeth Paruchuru’s body in a car in a Boston forest.
While initial investigations into Paruchuru’s demise yielded no evidence of foul play, the alarming frequency of such incidents within a short span raises concerns about the safety and well-being of international students studying abroad.
As Arfath’s family grapples with uncertainty and fear for his safety, their plight is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by students pursuing educational opportunities far from home.
The ordeal highlights the need for enhanced safety measures and support systems to safeguard the welfare of international students and prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.
In the meantime, the collective prayers and efforts of communities both near and far remain focused on the safe return of Abdul Mohammed Arfath, a beloved son and student.