Aussie teacher on house hunt in Punjab goes missing; daughter appeals to CM

Amritsar: The family of a 66-year-old Australian citizen and mathematics teacher from Melbourne, who went missing in Amritsar nearly 10 days ago, has made an emotional appeal to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and the state police to help trace him.In a video message, Sunil Sharma's daughter, Surbhi Sharma, pleaded with authorities to use all available resources to find her father, saying the family has been living in anguish since he disappeared on May 22. "My father loves Punjab. He invested his life's savings here and bought a home because he wanted to stay connected to his roots. We just want him back safely," she said, fighting back tears.Surbhi said the family had been desperately waiting for answers and urged the chief minister and Punjab Police chief to intervene personally. She also expressed suspicion about the possible involvement of a relative, who she claimed was also missing.According to the family, Sharma remained in regular touch during his visit to Punjab. He spoke to his children on May 21 and again on the morning of May 22. However, his mobile phone was switched off the next day, triggering alarm among relatives in India and Australia.Amritsar senior superintendent of police (rural) Suhail Qasim Mir said a case of kidnapping and abduction had been registered and investigators were pursuing multiple leads. "We are probing the matter from all possible angles and have developed several leads. We hope to crack the case soon," he said.The disappearance has also drawn attention in Australia. Media reports there said the family has sought assistance from Australia's department of foreign affairs and trade (DFAT) and the Australian high commission in India. Interpol has also reportedly been alerted.The case has triggered political reactions in Punjab. The Congress MLA from Bholath, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, has urged the CM and Punjab Police chief to respond to Surbhi's appeal and ensure a thorough investigation. He questioned how NRIs would feel secure investing in Punjab if such incidents remained unresolved and alleged that a relative, possibly acting in connivance with a land mafia network, could be involved.Shiromani Akali Dal functionary Bikram Singh Majithia termed Sharma's disappearance an "international exposé of Punjab's deteriorating law and order situation".Police, however, said the investigation was progressing and appealed for patience while leads were being verified.