New Delhi: Amid the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada over the alleged targeting of pro-Khalistan separatist figures, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police claimed that “agents of the Government of India” use criminals—a reference made to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang— to “target (the) South Asian community… specifically pro-Khalistani elements” there.
This was alleged by Commissioner Mike Duhene and his deputy, Brigitte Gauvin, according to reports. They made these allegations while addressing a press conference specific to Canadian citizen and Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder and its investigation.
#WATCH | Ottawa, Ontario (Canada): "It (India) is targeting South Asian community but they are specifically targeting pro-Khalistani elements in Canada…What we have seen is, from an RCMP perspective, they use organised crime elements. It has been publically attributed and… pic.twitter.com/KYKQVSx7Ju
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2024
Ottawa had accused “agents” of Delhi of being involved in the killing of Nijjar. “It (the Indian government) is targeting the South Asian community… but they are specifically targeting pro-Khalistani elements in Canada. What we have seen, from an RCMP perspective, is that they use organised crime elements,” Gauvin told reporters, as quoted by NDTV World.
“It has been publicly attributed and claimed by one crime group in particular – the Bishnoi gang. We believe the group is connected to agents of the Government of India,” the Canadian officer added.
However, India has declined such allegations. Rather, India has been accusing Canada of providing a platform to Khalistani separatists and not taking steps to stem their anti-India activities.
According to reports, when a journalist pressed asked the Canadian Commissioner that if Sikhs not associated with the Khalistan movement were also being targeted in the country.
Gauvin refused to provide specific details, stating that he intends to “preserve the integrity” of the ongoing investigation.
New Delhi supporting criminal activity against Canadians: Trudeau
Later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of “supporting criminal activity against Canadians.” He also alleged that New Delhi was responsible for “coercive behaviour targeting South Asian Canadians”. But, India had said the Trudeau administration “has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests…”
The Washington Post reported that Canada asked six Indian diplomats including high commissioner Sanjay Verma to return to India by October 18. However, India said it called back Verma, saying it does not have trust in the Canadian government to provide him due security.
Later, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, asking them to return to their country by 11:59 PM on October 19.
Did Ajit Doval hold a secret meeting with Canadian counterpart?
Meanwhile, a report in the Washington Post claimed that India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval held a secret meeting with his Canadian counterpart in Singapore last week. The report claimed that the Canadian officials outlined in the meeting the alleged evidence showing that India had enlisted networks of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to carry out the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and attacks on Sikh separatists. The report by the US-based newspaper was based on remarks by anonymous Canadian officials.
Know more about the Bishnoi gang
The Bishnoi gang is led by Lawrence Bishnoi from Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail. The gang has rapidly become of India’s most feared criminal organisations. It allegedly has a base in Canada, where gangster Goldy Brar is based.
The gang is known to be involved in murder and arms trafficking, and extortion of money from high-profile targets like Punjabi singers, the liquor mafia, other prominent businessmen in India. It has around 700 hitmen. Recently, the gang purportedly claimed the responsibility of killing a popular Muslim politician, Baba Siddique of the NCP, in Mumbai.
