Mudki man murdered in Manila, family watches last rites on phone

Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, February 14

Unable to get back the body of their son Sukhjit Singh (35), who was shot dead in Manila three days ago, Mudki-based Nachattar Singh and Manjit Kaur today watched his cremation that was live streamed by the deceased’s friends.

Relatives and friends of the family were also present at their house to see the video of the cremation taking place thousands of kilometres away.

Nachattar Singh, an ex-serviceman, said, “Sukhjit had gone to Manila on April 29, 2018, in search of greener pastures, but destiny had something else in store. We have no idea about what went wrong and who killed him.”

“His friends, who were settled in Manila, encouraged him to come there. Sukhjit did not marry as he wanted to earn some money first.”

Family sources said after reaching Manila, Sukhjit had joined some finance business with the help of his friends. “On February 5, some unidentified persons opened fire at him, leaving him severely injured. A week later, he died in a hospital,” he said.

“His friends bore the expenditure of his treatment. We could not even afford to go there to attend his last rites.”

Gurlabh Singh, a local councillor, said around 10 youths belonging to this area had gone to Manila to earn money.

Manmeet Singh Sandhu, president, Sarv Sewa Samiti, an NGO, said Sukhjit’s death portrayed the government’s failure in providing social and financial security to the youth. “No one wants to go abroad and leave one’s family, but people are forced to do so in the absence of sufficient employment opportunities here,” said Sandhu.

Earlier, Mohit Aggarwal (22) of the cantonment area had died in Canada under mysterious circumstances last year. His family members could bring his body back after a month of struggle.