In a shocking incident of political violence, a Congress party worker was brutally assassinated in a car ambush in Punjab's Moga district on Saturday morning. The killing came just days after his relative secured a panchayat samiti seat, defying threats from political opponents.
The Fatal Ambush
Umarseer Singh, aged 35, was on his way to work when his life was cut short. As he drove his Maruti Swift car in Bhinder Khurd village, another vehicle intercepted him. Unidentified assailants opened fire, pumping more than a dozen bullets into his car. Several rounds pierced the windscreen and struck Umarseer. He was rushed to Dharamkot hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Umarseer Singh was not just a political worker. He served as an auxiliary staff member at a multinational food and beverage company and was the president of his branch's workers union. He had also previously been a member of the village panchayat, indicating his deep roots in local community service.
Political Backdrop and Allegations
The family of the deceased has pointed a direct finger at political rivalry as the motive behind the cold-blooded murder. They allege that the village sarpanch, Inderpal Singh, had threatened them against contesting the recent panchayat samiti elections.
Defying these warnings, Veerpal Kaur—the wife of Umarseer's first cousin—contested from the Bhinder Khurd zone and emerged victorious. The family believes Umarseer's killing was a retaliatory act by those who could not stomach this election result.
"Umarseer, an active member of Congress, was killed on political considerations, as those behind the crime could not tolerate the election result of his sister-in-law," said Congress leader and former Dharamkot MLA, Sukhjeet Singh Kaka Lohgarh. He joined the protests and blamed the AAP government for the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab.
Outrage and Police Action
Enraged villagers and family members staged a protest near the Dharamkot police station, placing Umarseer's body there to demand immediate justice and the arrest of the culprits. The family named several individuals, including three from their own village, and accused Sarpanch Inderpal Singh of conspiring in the murder.
Law enforcement has swung into action. Dharamkot Deputy Superintendent of Police Jaswarinder Singh confirmed that unidentified attackers, who fled in a black car after the crime, fired numerous rounds. A case of murder has been registered against seven individuals named by the family, including Inderpal Singh.
"We have formed teams to nab the culprits, and further investigations are being made," the DSP stated, acknowledging the family's allegation that the accused group had warned them against contesting the elections.
This tragic event has cast a dark shadow over the region, raising serious questions about political vendetta and the safety of those participating in the democratic process at the grassroots level.
