Three Indian Rapper Murderers Are Arrested
People hold a vigil last month in the Indian city of Amritsar for the murder of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala
Indian police have arrested three men suspected of murdering Sidhu Mowla, a hip-hop superstar. They also confiscated a stash of weaponry, including a grenade launcher, from the suspects.
Moose Wala, also known as Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was last month killed in his car in the northern state Punjab.
The 28-year-old was a well-known musician both in India and also among Punjabi communities across the globe, particularly in Canada and Britain.
Special police commissioner H.S. On Monday, H.S. Dhaliwal, special police commissioner, told reporters in Delhi that three suspects had been detained in Gujarat's western state over the weekend.
Police recovered high-explosive explosive grenades, a rocket launcher, an assault rifle, and electric detonators from the suspects.
Local media reported that Goldy Brar a gangster from Canada, claimed to be the perpetrator of the murder of the rapper and was in touch the hitmen on the day of the incident.
"Brar called one of the shooters on the day of the incident and ordered him to ensure the execution of Moose Wala," the Hindustan Times newspaper quoted a police officer as saying.
"If guns don't work and you can't kill him, then kill him in an explosion was his directive," the officer told the daily.
Moose Wala became famous for his catchy songsthat targeted rival rappers and politicians. He portrayed himself as a man who fought to protect the dignity of his community and fought for justice and killed enemies.
He was criticised for his proclamation of gun culture through music videos in which he often posed with firearms.
His murder also brought to light organised crime in Punjab which is a major route for drugs entering India through Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Many observers link the rise in violence among gangs and the increase in the use of illegal weapons to the market for narcotics, which includes heroin and opium.