In Indian Punjab, singer and opposition party Congress leader Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead in Mansa district a day after security was withdrawn.
According to the Hindustan Times, one of the two persons who were seriously injured in the firing along with Moose wala succumbed to his injuries.
The accused fired at least 30 bullets. Sidhu Moose Wala was rushed to Mansa Civil Hospital in critical condition where doctors declared him dead.
The civil surgeon of the hospital said that Sidhu Moose Wala was brought to the hospital in a dead condition, while the other two persons have been shifted to another hospital after first aid.
The killings came a day after the Punjab police ordered the withdrawal of security of more than 420 people, including Sidhu Moose Wala, including former lawmakers, two-seat Jethadars, dera chiefs and police officers.
However, SSP Mansa Guru Tora said that four policemen were deployed for the security of Sidhu Moose Wala, out of which only two were temporarily recalled.
He said the firing took place when the two policemen were not taken away by the Congress leaders.
The 29-year-old singer joined the Congress in December last year and contested the state elections on a Congress ticket from Mansa, but did not win.
Condemning the assassination of the leader, the Congress said that the assassination of Sidhu Moose Wala had come as a great shock to the party and the country.
The party tweeted from its official Twitter account: “The assassination of Congress candidate from Punjab and talented musician Sidhu Moose Wala has come as a great shock to the party and the country as a whole. We extend our deepest condolences to his heirs, fans and friends and We stand firm in this house of deep sorrow. ”
Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that he was deeply saddened by this brutal murder and no accused involved in the murder would be spared.
Former Chief Minister and Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal offered condolences to the family of Sidhu Moose Wala and criticized Bhagwant Mann and his government for withdrawing the singer’s security.