OTTAWA – A disturbing wave of violence has claimed the lives of three Punjabi youths across Canada in a span of just three days, sparking deep concern within the international student and expatriate communities. The incidents, which took place in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia between March 13 and March 15, have left the Indo-Canadian community in shock and mourning.
The first tragedy occurred on Friday, March 13, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Devinder Singh, a 30-year-old taxi driver originally from Moga, Punjab, was fatally shot while on duty. Reports indicate that Singh was waiting in his cab outside a motel to pick up a passenger when a gunman, reportedly chasing a woman, opened fire. Singh was struck and tragically died at the scene. Local police have since arrested two 19-year-old men, charging one with first-degree murder and the other with manslaughter.
On the same night, another young life was lost in Fort St. John, British Columbia. Gurkirat Singh Manocha, a 25-year-old international student from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, was killed following an “altercation” at the Charlie Lake boat launch. Manocha, who was a business management student at Northern Lights College, was allegedly assaulted by a group of individuals and run over by a vehicle. Despite life-saving efforts by emergency responders, he succumbed to his injuries. The RCMP’s North District Major Crimes Unit is currently investigating the case, which reportedly involved 10 to 12 individuals.
The third incident took place on Saturday, March 14, near Leduc, Alberta. Birender Singh was killed in a shooting incident on Highway 2. While details regarding the motive remain scarce, the Alberta RCMP is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the gunfire. These three consecutive deaths have heightened safety worries for Indian students in Canada, with community organizations and family members calling for more robust protection and swift justice.
