This Article is From Jan 07, 2012

Anuj Bidve's family to return to Pune with body; last rites this evening

Anuj Bidve's family to return to Pune with body; last rites this evening
London: The parents of Anuj Bidve, the engineering student, who was shot dead on December 26 last year in the British city of Salford, are flying back to India with Anuj's body. The last rites will be performed in Pune in the evening.

On Friday, they made an emotional visit to the scene of Anuj's murder.

23-year-old Anuj was shot in the head at point-blank range as he walked along Ordsall Lane with friends.

His parents, who met Anuj's fellow students and friends at Lancaster University on Thursday, visited Ordsall Lane on Friday morning, where tributes and flowers had been left.

Anuj's family addressed the media on Ordsall Lane which was blocked off by police.

Anuj's father, Subhash Bidve, said it had been an "exceedingly difficult journey" and they had been "deeply moved" by the support people had shown them.

"We do not blame the people of the city for what happened. The only person we blame is the man responsible for taking Anuj away from us," he added.

After speaking to the media, the family laid flowers at the scene and prayed for their son - during which, at the request of the family, the cameras were turned off.

They had been retracing Anuj's final moments and earlier visited the hotel room where he had stayed.

It has not been in use since the death of Anuj at the request of the police.

On Thursday, Anuj's parents picked up his belongings from Lancaster University and met his friends and tutors.

It is understood Anuj and his friends were on their way to an early morning sale in Manchester when he was shot.

(With Associated Press inputs)
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