Agencies probing Punjab gangs' 'links' with Khalistani terrorists
The Sunday Guardian|June 26, 2022
The recent killing of popular Punjabi pop singer Sidhu Moosewala due to a gang rivalry has brought to the fore Punjab's deep-rooted gang culture and the nexus between gangs, drug mafia and the recently revived Khalistani movement in the state.
DIBYENDU MONDAL
Agencies probing Punjab gangs' 'links' with Khalistani terrorists

GUN CULTURE

The rise of gun culture in Punjab is often attributed to the popular music industry in the state that glorifies brandishing guns as a popular trend among the youth, thus making them take up arms to look "cool". Punjab's intelligence agencies also attribute the rise of gangs in the state to rising unemployment, drug addiction and the need to climb up the economic ladder quickly.

Former IG of Punjab Police, C. Pal Singh told The Sunday Guardian that poverty, rising aspirations, drug addiction have resulted in a cultural change in the youth of Punjab and this, coupled with the influence of gun-toting pop singers and their frequent interactions with the youth in colleges, are luring the vulnerable youths to join these gangs.

"Post militancy, a strange type of mental change has occurred in the youth of Punjab who wants to live an affluent life without any major income from their small land holdings. Lack of employment opportunities and slow industrial development have further created mental unrest and anxiety among the young population. All the above factors, coupled with gang rivalry, have created a 'toxic cocktail' which is exploding from time to time in murders, killings, and counter killings between different gangs," Singh told this newspaper.

Punjab's gangs and gangsters have had a major influence in the state over the last two decades-be it on the streets to music, from politics to political power and from small sections to big political constituencies and from villages to cities.

This story is from the June 26, 2022 edition of The Sunday Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 26, 2022 edition of The Sunday Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE SUNDAY GUARDIANView All
The Sunday Guardian

WHEN PHILANTHROPY AND SEVA COME NATURALLY

On a bitterly cold January evening a group of devotees of Saint Jalaram are serving hot nutritious food to the homeless and destitute in the Holborn area of London. University students too can be seen in the queues. Saint Jalaram was born in 1799 in Gujarat.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
BMW Motorrad India to raise prices by up to 2.5%
The Sunday Guardian

BMW Motorrad India to raise prices by up to 2.5%

BMW Motorrad India will increase prices by up to 2.5% across the model range. The new prices will be effective from 01 January 2025 onwards.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
Volvo Group partners with Indian universities to shape future automotive talent
The Sunday Guardian

Volvo Group partners with Indian universities to shape future automotive talent

Volvo signs MoU with Amrita University and Thapar Institute to build a stronger industry-academia engagement and enhance the engineering industry readiness.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
The Sunday Guardian

NO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO DETERMINE PRICE OF VEHICLES TO BE SCRAPPED

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said that there will be no government intervention for determining the fair price for a vehicle to be scrapped.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
GADKARI VOWS TO MAKE AUTO INDUSTRY NO. 1
The Sunday Guardian

GADKARI VOWS TO MAKE AUTO INDUSTRY NO. 1

The Indian automobile industry ranks third globally, behind China and the United States, but the government aims to elevate it to the top position within the next five years, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari stated.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
Maruti to ramp up exports by over two-fold to 8 lakh units by 2030-31
The Sunday Guardian

Maruti to ramp up exports by over two-fold to 8 lakh units by 2030-31

Maruti Suzuki India is aiming to export about 8 lakh vehicles annually by the fiscal year 2030-31, from its current exports of around 3 lakh units.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT SUMMONS POLICE COMMISSIONER ON CONTEMPT PETITION
The Sunday Guardian

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT SUMMONS POLICE COMMISSIONER ON CONTEMPT PETITION

The Allahabad High Court has recently summoned Prayagraj Police Commissioner Tarun Gauba and other officials to appear on December 10 regarding a contempt petition.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
GULFISHA, KHALID SEEK BAIL ON GROUNDS OF PARITY
The Sunday Guardian

GULFISHA, KHALID SEEK BAIL ON GROUNDS OF PARITY

Several individuals accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi Riots, including Gulfisha Fatima, Abdul Khalid Saifi, and Shifa Ur Rehman, have approached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday seeking bail.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
The Sunday Guardian

Delhi HC directs CBI to appoint senior officer for RAU Study Circle case

The Delhi High Court has recently directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to appoint a senior officer to regularly monitor the investigation into the RAU's IAS Study Circle case.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
Delhi HC directs govt to submit report on AHF injection stocks
The Sunday Guardian

Delhi HC directs govt to submit report on AHF injection stocks

The Delhi High Court has recently instructed both the Centre and the Delhi government to submit reports on the current stock of Antihemophilic Factor injections, which are essential for treating haemophilia, a rare genetic disorder.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024