Singer Sidhu Moosewala cremated at native village; thousands pay last respects

Tribune News Service

 Chandigarh, May 31

A sea of mourners bid a tearful farewell to popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, who was cremated at his native village in Mansa district on Tuesday afternoon.

The body of the 28-year-old singer-politician, who was shot dead on Sunday, was brought to his home in Moosa village amid tight security on Tuesday morning from Mansa civil hospital, where the post mortem was conducted.

Moosewala's family, including his parents, were inconsolable as they sat beside the body at their home. His mother was seen trying to console her husband as people from Punjab, Rajasthan and Chandigarh among other places queued up in large numbers to get a last glimpse of the singer.

The singer's favourite tractor, which had figured in many of his music videos, was bedecked with flowers for his last ride to a family-owned field for the cremation.

Notwithstanding the scorching heat, mourners joined the funeral procession as Moosewala's father and mother stood on the tractor with folded hands, accompanying their son on his final journey.

Some of his fans wore t-shirts with Moosewala's picture printed on them. The singer's father, Balkour Singh, even took off his turban on seeing the sea on mourners.

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring was present during the funeral procession. A heavy police force was deployed at the slain singer's residence as well as at the cremation site. People heaped praises on Moosewala for his songs and even raised slogans in his favour.

"He was a good-natured man. He would never say no to anybody for a selfie. We are sad that he is not amongst us today," said a villager.

Some villagers and fans expressed anger over the Punjab police pruning Moosewala's security cover just a day before he was shot dead and sought the strictest punishment for the killers.

"Those who were behind the killing of Moosewala should be given exemplary punishment," said an elderly man who came from Jalandhar.

Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, known as Sidhu Moosewala, was shot dead on Sunday by unidentified assailants in Punjab's Mansa district. His cousin and a friend, who were travelling in a Mahindra Thar jeep with him, were also injured in the attack.

The popular Punjabi singer had fought the recent assembly election in Punjab on a Congress ticket from Mansa and was defeated by the AAP's Vijay Singla.

He was among the 424 people whose security was withdrawn or curtailed by the Punjab Police on Saturday on a temporary basis.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday announced setting up a judicial commission headed by a sitting high court judge to probe the brutal killing of Sidhu Moosewala.

The state police on Monday claimed to have rounded up some suspects and got important leads in connection with the killing. It had termed the assassination a case of an inter-gang rivalry and that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was behind the killing.

15:50 31 May

Family members thank fans

During cremation, the family of Sidhu Moosewala got emotional on seeing thousands of fans. His father Balkour Singh, seeing love and affection from fans of Sidhu Moosewala, removed his turban and bowed in front of the huge crowd gathered to attend the funeral.

15:16 31 May

Prominent people attend cremation

Prominent persons who attended the cremation included Congress Punjab Incharge Harish Chowdhary, PPCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Simranjit Singh Mann of SAD (Amritsar) and many other from the Pujabi music industry.

13:28 31 May

Tractor has been decorated

13:23 31 May

Funeral procession to take place on his favourite tractor

Sidhu Moosewala's funeral procession would be taken out on his favourite tractor and a trolley. The tractor has been decorated with flowers.

12:51 31 May

Moosewala asked me to continue making music: Asim Riaz

'Bigg Boss 13' fame Asim Riaz took to his social media handle to share a heartfelt note on the demise of singer turned politician Sidhu Moosewala.

12:48 31 May

Raja Warring pays tributes to Moosewala

12:45 31 May

Fans and relatives outside Moosewala’s house

12:44 31 May

Sidhu Moosewala’s mother consoles her husband

12:20 31 May

Family plans cremation at their own land

Sidhu Moosewala’s family to hold his cremation at their own land in Musa village. Earlier, the district administration had make arrangements at the village cremation ground.

09:26 31 May

Moosewala's body being taken from civil hospital to his house

09:02 31 May

People outside Sidhu Moosewala's house

08:51 31 May

Moosewala's body reaches home

Sidhu Moosewala's body has reached his house in Musa village.

His fans in large numbers also reached his house and police are facing a tough time in controlling them.

08:37 31 May

Over 2 dozen bullet wounds

Over two dozen bullets, including one in the skull, were pumped into Sidhu Moosewala, sources said after a panel of five doctors concluded a post-mortem investigation on Monday.

08:36 31 May

Punjab Police claims important leads

The Punjab Police on Monday said it has rounded up some people and got several important leads in the murder case of Sidhu Moosewala, even as a CCTV footage has emerged on social media which shows the Punjabi singer's vehicle being followed just before he was shot dead.

08:32 31 May

Delhi Police questions Lawrence Bishnoi

Delhi Police on Monday questioned jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi here in connection with the case.  The development came as a Delhi court refused to entertain a plea filed by Bisnoi, who has been accused of plotting the murder, that he apprehended a fake encounter by the Punjab Police.

08:30 31 May

Cremation at noon

Sidhu Moosewala funeral visitation will be held at 8.30 am and cremation at noon.

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