Punjab: Daylight killings of Sudhir Suri, dera follower Pardeep raise questions over law and order; both were given police security

Mohali, November 10: Two broad daylight killings in Punjab in the past one week speak volumes of poor law and order situation in the state, besides raising questions over security. After the murder of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri in Amritsar on November 4, residents on Thursday woke up to the news of another broad daylight killing of Dera Sacha Sauda follower and Bargari sacrilege accused Pardeep Singh in Kotkapura. 

Pardeep Kumar was shot dead by five bike-borne assailants. On November 4, Sudhir Suri, a leader of the Shiv Sena was shot dead while he was sitting on a dharna outside a temple in Amritsar. Both victims had been provided police security.

Pardeep was arrested in May last year in the Bargari sacrilege case and was out on bail. He had been provided two security personnel. Five motorcycle-borne assailants reached the spot and one of them opened fire, killing Pradeep and leaving his gunman Hakam Singh and Amar Singh, a former municipal councillor, injured. They were admitted to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot.

The situation has led to an atmosphere of tension in Punjab as both victims had police protection and police personnel were with them when the assailants opened fire at them .

After Sudhir Suri's murder, Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa took responsibility by sharing a post on Facebook. In the dera follower's case too, another gangster, Goldy Brar, who is based in Canada, has taken responsibility for the crime.  Goldy Brar is said to be a close aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The cyber crime wing of the Punjab Police is learnt to be investigating the claims made by Goldy Brar.

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In his post, Brar said: "I, Goldy Brar (Lawrence Bishnoi Group) take responsibility for the murder of Bargari sacrilege case accused Pradeep in Kotakpura. Three governments have changed in the last seven years and they have not been able to give justice to the sacrilege incidents. Whoever will disrespects any religion, the same will happen to him." 

Earlier, his name had cropped up during the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Goldy Brar took responsibility for the murder and was also found guilty in police investigation. The name of Goldy Brar is constantly coming up in many incidents in Punjab, but the government has failed to bring him to Punjab.

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