Category: Crime

Chandigarh: At least five workers were killed and several others injured in a powerful explosion at a firecracker factory in Singhewala village of Punjab’s Muktsar district late on Thursday night. The incident occurred around 1.30 a.m., causing a major portion of the two-storey factory building to collapse.

So far, 29 workers have been rescued from the debris. Rescue and relief operations are currently underway. The factory had a total of 40 workers, most of whom are migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh.

Among the deceased, only one worker has been identified so far — Rahul, 25, a resident of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

The injured have been referred to AIIMS Bathinda and Badal Civil Hospital. Those identified include Ganesh (25), Mohit (23), Amit (26), Amit (21), Ankit (20), Akshay (22), Bahadur (25), Manoj (23), Pintu (21), Sonu (21), Rohit (20), Vikas (21), Sanjay (23), Bhola (25), and Mukesh (32).

According to a worker named Arun, “We were sleeping after the night shift when suddenly there was an explosion and many people were buried under the debris. The blast was so strong that a large part of the factory building collapsed.”

Local residents said that the factory had arrangements for workers to stay inside the premises. Several rooms were located on the first floor. Officials confirmed that gunpowder and chemicals were found at the site, raising concerns over safety measures at the unit.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.

Mansa: The third death anniversary of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was observed on Wednesday with a prayer ceremony held at his native village Musa in Punjab’s Mansa district. The singer’s family performed the bhog of Shri Sehaj Path in his memory.

Moosewala, 28, was shot dead on May 29, 2022, a day after the Punjab government curtailed his security. He was travelling in a private vehicle without his bulletproof car and accompanied by only two bodyguards instead of four. According to doctors, he was shot 19 times and succumbed to his injuries within 15 minutes.

As per the police charge sheet, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Canada-based Goldy Brar conspired to murder the singer to avenge the killing of Bishnoi’s associate and Youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Midukhera in August 2021. Both Bishnoi and Brar have claimed in media interviews that Moosewala’s manager, Shagunpreet, was involved in Midukhera’s murder.

Sidhu Moosewala rose to global fame with hits like So High, 295, Bambiha Bole, and Issa Jatt. His debut album PBX1 was featured on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. He also performed at major international events such as the Wireless Festival in the UK and appeared in Punjabi films including Moosa Jatt and Yes I Am Student.

Even three years after his death, Moosewala’s music and message continue to resonate with fans around the world.

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has suspended SSP Varinder Singh Brar of Fazilka district for allegedly failing to act against four police personnel involved in a corruption case.

On Tuesday, the Vigilance Bureau arrested four officials from the Fazilka Cyber Cell for allegedly blackmailing the family of a minor and demanding a bribe of Rs 1 lakh.

According to officials, the minor had unintentionally accessed a website, after which the cyber cell officers allegedly threatened to file a case and extorted money from the family.

The Vigilance Bureau said the accused were caught red-handed during a trap operation. Those arrested have been identified as SHO Manjit Singh, and senior constables Rajpal, Shinderpal Singh, and Sumit Kumar.