Father urges police to go extra mile in search for missing son

It has been three years and three weeks since the disappearance of Chiraag Murthi from Taveuni Island, Vanua Levu.

The seven-year-old, who had a hearing and speech disability, went missing from his home in Qila on November 12, 2021.

His father, Shyam Murthi, believes that the only authority with the power to solve this case, the Fiji Police Force, needs to go the extra mile.

“I always go to the Taveuni Police Station to ask for updates, but the officers tell me there is nothing so far,” Mr Murthi said.

“When I ask them more questions, they respond rudely and angrily.”

The 47-year-old father of three is suggesting that police officers undergo anger management and customer service training.

“Just because we live on a small island, far from headquarters and the mainland, these officers treat us differently because no one is watching over them,” he said.

“As a father, I am already heartbroken and have to respond to questions from my other two kids and wife, who still believe Chiraag is alive.”

The casual farm worker claims the police need to stop using terms like “cold case” and instead focus on completing their pending work.

“Our island, surrounded by sea, is vulnerable to human trafficking and kidnapping,” he said.

“There are many business operators who do exports, and our jetties are not closely monitored by the relevant authorities.”

“I will not give up searching for my son, even though it may be another Christmas without him,” he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Divisional Police Commander North, Superintendent of Police Eroni Soqosoqo, confirmed that the case remained open and that the investigation was ongoing.

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