Sikh shooting: 'My father promised to be home by Diwali'

A pall of gloom hangs over the Delhi house of brothers Ranjeet Singh and Sita Singh who were among the six Sikhs gunned down at the gurdwara at Oak Creek, Milwaukee, United States.

Maintaining their composure, Jaspreet Kaur (Ranjeet Singh's daughter) and Sarabjeet Kaur (Sita Singh daughter) meet the stream of visitors, who have been arriving to console the cousins.

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"My father Ranjeet Singh migrated to the US and settled down in Milwaukee 16 years ago. He used to double as driver-cum-tabla player. I spoke to him on phone on Sunday; he asked me about how the family was doing. He told us that he would come in July, but he failed to keep his promise. When I asked him about it, he said he would soon get a green card and will be able to join the family on Diwali," Jaspreet Kaur told rediff.com at the Sita Singh's residence.

Sarabjeet Kaur, eldest child of 42-year-old Sita Singh, had a chat with her father on Skype (voice-over-Internet Protocol service).

"He looked good and was heading for gurdwara sahib. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see him alive," she said as she wiped her tears. Her mother, Surinder Kaur was too distraught to talk.

For last five years, Ranjeet has been asking Sita to come and help in kirtan (prayer) at the gurdwara to which the latter would happily oblige.

"Five months ago, my father called chachaji (uncle) and he left soon there after. I now wish he had not gone there. Both were killed," Sarabjeet said.

While the two families mourned their loss, they are yet to make up their mind whether to do the cremation in the US or bring the bodies back to India for the last rites. 

"No American official has got in touch with us so far for details of our passports, date of birth and other details. We have yet to take a decision about what would be good for us. If we get a chance to settle in the US where we lost our fathers it would be good," Sarabjeet said.

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