Patiala: A 24-year-old youth from Atalan village in Patiala’s Patran sub-division was allegedly shot dead in California, USA, with his family urging the Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to help repatriate his body.Khushkarandeep Singh, who had moved to the US about five years ago in search of better opportunities, was working as a truck driver in California. According to family members, preliminary findings by local law enforcement suggest he was shot while travelling in his vehicle.The family lost contact with him after July 30 when his phone became unreachable. As concern grew, relatives approached the authorities, following which police in California launched a search operation. His body was later recovered from a wooded area.Khushkarandeep’s father, Balveer Singh, said the family had sold its land to send him abroad in the hope of securing a better future. He appealed to the Government of India and the MEA to facilitate the early return of his son’s mortal remains so that the family could perform his last rites.Residents of Atalan village expressed shock over the incident. Former sarpanch Balwant Singh urged both the state and central governments to extend all possible assistance to ensure the body is brought home without delay.Villagers said members of the Punjabi diaspora in North America have started a fundraising campaign to help the family meet the costs of repatriation and legal formalities.Adding to the family’s grief, relatives said Khushkarandeep had spoken to them only a few days ago. He had informed his sisters that he had received the rakhi they sent and had sent them gifts in return, making the news of his death all the more heartbreaking.
