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Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead in a village in Punjab's Mansa district on Sunday, 29 May.
Hours later, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) VK Bhawra informed, "Gangster Goldy Brar has taken responsibility for the murder. Lawrence Bishnoi gang is behind the murder. At least three weapons were used in the murder."
The murder comes a day after Punjab Police curtailed Moose Wala's security cover, along with 423 others as part of the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's crackdown on VIP culture.
While the Opposition attacks the AAP government, DGP Bhawra has said, "Moose Wala had four commandos from Punjab Police out of which two were taken back but he was having two commandos which Moose Wala didn't take along with him today."
Moose Wala was a famous artist, associated with Punjabi music and Punjabi cinema. He leapt to fame in 2017 with his track ‘So High’.
More recently, he had contested the Assembly polls on a Congress ticket from Mansa and was defeated by the AAP candidate Dr Vijay Singla with a margin of 63,323 votes.
What Has the Police Said?
Speaking on how the incident unfolded, Gaurav Toora, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Mansa, said that two cars had intercepted Sidhu Moose Wala's car, followed by heavy firing in which Moose Wala received multiple bullet injuries.
"Persons present with him also got bullet injuries and they have been referred to Patiala for further treatment," Toora added, news agency ANI reported.
Meanwhile, one of the two people in Moose Wala’s car has also succumbed to his injuries.
SSP Toora further said:
"Preliminary investigation shows it to be an inter-gang rivalry. Sidhu Moose Wala didn't take his bulletproof car and gunman today. A First Information Report (FIR) is being registered. We will take immediate action against the gangster and persons involved."
Further, addressing a press conference, DGP Bhawra added, "Lucky, member of the (Lawrence Bishnoi) gang has taken responsibility from Canada."
Canada-Based Gangster Suspected
Hours after Moose Wala's murder, Canada-based gangster Satinder Singh, alias Goldy Brar, has reportedly taken responsibility for the killing.
Brar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, said that his module in Punjab carried out the attack on Moose Wala.
In two separate posts on their purported Facebook pages, Bishnoi and Brar have claimed responsibility for the murder of the Punjabi singer.
The Quint has not been able to independently confirm their authenticity. However, Punjab Police told The Quint that they had taken note of the two Facebook posts and were trying to establish their veracity.
Opposition Blames AAP for Moose Wala’s Murder
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa attacked the AAP-led government in Punjab and said in a tweet, "Law and order situation in Punjab is totally out of control now. Yesterday AAP Punjab Govt removed security of social celebrities and today famous Punjabi Singer, Congress leader Sidhu Moose Wala shot at by unknowns at Mansa."
Moose Wala had joined the Congress party in December last year, months ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.
In the presence of Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi and state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, the singing sensation had said that his intention was to "serve the Punjabis."
While welcoming him to the party, then state’s chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi had said:
"He (Moose Wala) has won the hearts of everyone. He is a son of a farmer and his father is an ex-army officer. I am sure he will make Congress party proud, I welcome him on behalf of Congress."
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