22-yr-old shot dead in Canada, family wants GOI’s help to bring body back

Payal Dhawan | TNN | Apr 13, 2020, 07:12 IST

Ludhiana: The lockdown due to Covid-19 outbreak has separated many a people from their loved ones. But this family of Ludhiana’s .Sareen village, who has lost their 22-year-old son in a tragic incident in Canada, is not even sure if they will be able to see his mortal remains.
Pritpal Singh, 22, had gone to Canada one and a half year ago on study visa, after completing his schooling. In the wee hours of April 7, he was allegedly shot dead in Canada’s Surrey, by unidentified assailant. Amid this worldwide lockdown, when international flights have been suspended, the family is seeking help from Government of India to bring back the body of their son.
Priptal’s father Shamsher Singh is an assistant sub inspector with railway police in Ludhiana. Among his three children, Priptal was the middle one. Since he wanted to go abroad for further studies and work, the family agreed to send him away to Canada.
While speaking with TOI, Shamsher Singh said, “I talked to Pritpal in the morning of April 6. As my father was missing him, I dropped a message to him to call back. Minutes later, Pritpal made a video call to me. He had prepared food and was about to have dinner. He was worried for all of us because of the coronavirus outbreak. He kept asking us to be cautious and take precautions. I didn’t know I was talking to him for the last time and won’t ever see him again.”
Shamsher said he received a call from Pritpal’s friend on early morning of April 7 that Pritpal is hospitalised. “He did not tell me initially that he was shot by someone. Later on, the police called me from there and informed me about the incident. My son was so innocent, why would someone shoot him? I feel, the accused wanted to shoot someone else. My son had a car there and often his friends would borrow the car. I believe that someone else, who used Pritpal’s car, must be the target of the shooter.”
The family, which has lost the boy, who wanted to become a supporting pillar of the family, now only wants his body to come to India.
“The entire family is devastated. We want the accused to be arrested soon and urge Government of India to bring his body back. We all want to see him for the last time and cremate his body here,” added the father.
The family is also writing to the minister of external affairs, PM office, CM office and Ludhiana deputy commissioner to help them in bringing the body back to India.