France, June 1 -- Thousands joined the funeral of hip hop star Sidhu Moose Wala who was assassinated in a weekend attack in his hometown which sparked a furious backlash. Indian police said the murder was plotted in Canada, where fans also grieved his violent end.

Fans also launched protests on Tuesday in Punjab, Moose Wala's home state as the funeral pyre was lit by the breakout artiste's grieving relatives.

"He was not just a singer. He was an inspiration for the entire Indian diaspora," said fan Kuldeep Singh in Punjab, an Indian state which has struggled to keep younger people away from drugs and alcohol.

Born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, the 28-year-old hip hopper was ambushed in hometown Mansa where gunmen trailed his car and shot him ...