Canada accuses India of using Lawrence Bishnoi gang here
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) charged New Delhi of direct participation in “serious criminal activity” on its territory shortly after India removed its ambassadors from Canada.
Ottawa claimed that “agents” of the Indian government were collaborating with Lawrence Bishnoi’s group to target pro-Khalistani members, but it did not provide any proof to support its assertions.
The claims came to light when the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is being investigated by Indian law enforcement for its participation in the murder of NCP politician and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.
Speaking to the media late on Monday night, the RCMP said that its investigation into the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in Canada last year, had uncovered purported connections between the Indian government and “violent” activities carried out in the nation of North America.
Following accusations from Canada that Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats were “persons of interest” connected to the Nijjar murder probe, a news conference was arranged.
Six Indian diplomats were also expelled by the Canadian government, which further connected them to an inquiry into the killing of terrorist Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In retaliation, India summoned its principal ambassador to Ottawa and, in a tit-for-tat move, drove out six Canadian diplomats.
Evidence also demonstrates that agents of the Indian government have used a wide range of organizations both domestically and internationally to gather data. A number of these people and companies were intimidated and forced to work for the Indian government. The RCMP statement said, “Members of the South Asian community are then targeted using the information gathered for the Government of India.”
Brigitte Gauvin, Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP, said that pro-Khalistani elements in Canada are the “specific target” of these organizations, but that the South Asian community as a whole is being targeted by them when asked whether members of the Sikh community in particular were being targeted by the Indian agents.
From an RCMP standpoint, we have seen that they make use of organized criminal components. It has been openly credited and asserted by the Bishnoi outfit, one specific organized criminal outfit. We think the outfit has ties to Indian government operatives,” Gauvin said.
Canada declared last year that there were solid claims that the killing of “Sikh activist” Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey was connected to the Indian government. India called the accusations “absurd and baseless” and refuted them.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada spoke to the media after the RCMP news conference, alleging that “agents” of the Indian government are reportedly posing a danger to public safety on Canadian territory.
The prime minister of Canada accused the Indian government of “not cooperating” in the continuing inquiry into Nijjar’s death, despite repeated pleas for cooperation. However, the Indian government has accused Canada of levelling “baseless” claims without providing any supporting documentation.
After Canada on Monday morning brought serious charges against the Indian High Commissioner and other officials, New Delhi and Ottawa have been embroiled in a diplomatic spat.
In response to the allegations, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a harsh statement, accusing Trudeau of engaging in vote-bank politics and failing to take action against separatist elements within Canadian borders. It said that Canada had not shared a “shred of evidence of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing” despite repeated requests.
Following its accusations against the Indian diplomats, Canada found itself in a similar predicament when it attempted to link the killing of Nijjar to the “Indian government” in the absence of any supporting documentation.
Many criticized the Justin Trudeau-led administration harshly for not providing any evidence to support their accusations when the Canadian government connected top Indian diplomats to an investigation into the death of a terrorist from Khalistani province.
Journalist Daniel Bordman, who is located in Canada, said on X that Justin Trudeau has once again failed to provide the people with convincing information after the escalation of tensions with India. We’ve lost diplomats, and we’re still at the “trust me, bro” stage. Canada’s commerce might wind up suffering billions as a result. All in an effort to placate Khalistani ministers led by Jagmeet.
Justin Trudeau again fails to provide compelling evidence to the public after escalating the tensions with India. Diplomats have been expelled and we are still in the “trust me bro” phase.
This could end up costing Canada billions in trade. All to appease Jagmeet and the gang of…— Daniel Bordman (@DanielBordmanOG) October 14, 2024
Michael Kugelman, the director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute, responded to the news by saying, “Canada’s release of this statement is an extraordinary development: A rare case of Ottawa publicly disclosing info about its allegations against Delhi.” Delhi has often refuted Ottawa’s accusations while pointing to the dearth of proof in the public realm.
