A 37-year-old employee of the Nestle plant in Punjab's Moga district was brutally shot dead on his way to work early Saturday morning, sending shockwaves through the region. The victim, identified as Umarseer Singh, was also an active Congress party worker and a local labour union leader, adding a significant political dimension to the crime.
Grisly Attack in Bhinder Kalan Village
The incident occurred in Bhinder Kalan village on the morning of January 3, 2026. According to police officials, Umarseer Singh was driving his Maruti Swift car to his duty at the Nestle factory when unidentified assailants, who arrived in another vehicle, ambushed him. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dharamkot) Jaswarinder Singh stated that a preliminary investigation suggests the attackers fired at least 15 rounds at the victim's car. "The assailants rained bullets at his car while he was driving," the DSP told reporters, confirming the severity of the attack.
Political Links and Immediate Fallout
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the deceased was not just a corporate employee but also a prominent local political figure. Umarseer Singh was an active member of the Congress party and led a local labour union. This dual identity has led local villagers and initial probes to point towards village-level political rivalry as a possible motive behind the targeted killing.
The tragic event triggered immediate and emotional protests. Grieving family members and supporters carried Umarseer Singh's body to the Dharamkot police station, where they staged a demonstration. Their primary demand was the immediate arrest of all the accused involved in the murder. The protest gained political momentum when Congress leader and former Dharamkot MLA, Sukhjeet Singh Kaka Lohgarh, joined the aggrieved family.
Political Blame Game Erupts
At the protest site, the political temperature soared as Congress leaders squarely blamed the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for the incident. Former MLA Lohgarh accused the state administration of failing to maintain law and order. "Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should resign immediately. He has failed to run this government," he declared. Lohgarh also criticized the police response, alleging a delayed arrival at the crime scene. He warned that the protest would continue until all the perpetrators were apprehended.
The police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the shooting. While the assailants remain unidentified, the focus is on deciphering the exact sequence of events, recovering forensic evidence from the scene where 15 bullet casings were found, and exploring all angles, including the victim's political and union affiliations. The case has put the spotlight back on the issue of political violence and law and order in Punjab.
