It was three years ago on Monday that Imran Dawood, his two uncles, Saeed and Shakil Dawood, and friend Mohammed Aswat, were attacked by a knife-wielding gang on motorbikes as they returned by minibus from a trip to the Taj Mahal during a sight-seeing holiday.

Imran, of Soothill, who was 18 at the time and on his first visit to India, was stabbed but survived, Mohammed, 42, of Soothill, was murdered by the mob, the remains of Saeed, 41, of Mount Pleasant, were discovered near to where they were dragged from the vehicle, and the fate of Shakil, 37, remains unknown.
Last Thursday Imran, his brother Ismail and Saeed's brother Ilyas Dawood met Hazel Blears, the Home Office Minister responsible for policing, to promote their campaign.


Ismail said: "We cannot leave the matter because the family needs some sort of closure and justice must prevail. I am pleased that the minister spoke to us and showed great concern for our families and committed herself to doing whatever she could to help the family.
"She also stated that the British police would be more than happy to assist the Indian authorities in their investigations but could not proceed until they received a request from the Indian authorities."
Two years ago the then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw offered the Indian government assistance, which was not taken up.

The family now hopes the meeting will help revive their drive for further investigation, particularly as India has a new, non-religious government.
Around 3,000 people were killed during the 2002 riots between Hindus and Muslims, which the men were caught up in – their minibus was chased by a Hindu mob after they stopped them to ask whether they were Muslim or Hindu.
Ilyas said: "This is a good start but we know there is a long way to go but we owe it to all those that have died not to let this rest. Unlike the thousands of people who werebutchered and raped, we are fortunate that, as British citizens, our government can pressure the Indian government to do more."

Last year the family made legal history when they filed a civil lawsuit for damages against 13 high-ranking members of the Gujurat government, whom they accused of genocide.
Thursday's meeting was arranged by Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Dewsbury Shahid Malik, who is a member of Labour's National Executive Committee, which includes the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Mrs Blears.

Mr Malik said: "The Dawood family has shown great dignity and patience and, God willing, they will get justice in the end. The family are very clear that this is not just about getting justice for their loved ones but it's also to help get justice for those thousands of families whose loved ones were affected by the genocide."
Mrs Blears has agreed for a letter to be delivered by hand to the Indian Prime Minster, calling for an investigation to be launched.

holly.smith@ywng.co.uk