Khalistan poster in Canada, India not taking it lightly
India raised concerns to Canadian authorities about the rise of threats against its national officials, where posters for a protest by Khalistan groups are being distributed.
India has voiced its worries to Canadian authorities over the rise of threats against its national officials, where posters for a protest identifying its high commissioner in Ottawa and consulate general in Toronto are being disseminated.
According to the poster, the Khalistan freedom demonstration will be held on July 8. It is being conducted in memory of Harjit Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan priest found killed in the parking lot of a gurdwara in the British Columbia town of Surrey on June 18.
Threats are also made against India’s high commissioner in Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, and the consulate general in Toronto, Apoorva Srivastava.
Concerns about their security as well as other personnel, have been communicated informally to Global Affairs Canada, the country’s foreign ministry, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which is charged with diplomatic security, and the Ottawa and Toronto police departments, according to a senior Indian official.
They will be formally told of the increased concerns after the long weekend for Canada Day.
“Under the guise of freedom of expression,” Verma told HT, “they are attempting to cause harm to foreign envoys, which may not be the intention of Canadian law and constitution, under which such rights are provided.”
He said that each right is associated with upholding peace and harmony.
The death of Nijjar, the head of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib and a member of the separatist Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has led to pro-Khalistan elements suspecting India of involvement.
Gurpatwant Pannun, SFJ’s legal counsel, called it an “assassination.”
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) investigating the death has not assigned a motive.
Nijjar the leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force:
Nijjar was accused by Indian authorities of being the leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force and faced many terror-related accusations.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a ten lakh rupee reward for information leading to his capture.
However, none of the charges brought against him was tested in Canadian courts, and the SFJ has stated that it does not utilise violence.
An Indian official emphasised that Canadian officials have been “receptive” to their concerns and “collaborate closely” in securing diplomatic facilities.
However, on March 23, pro-Khalistan agitators penetrated the security cordon of the high commission in Ottawa to protest the search for Waris de Punjab chief Amritpal Singh, who was absconding at the time.
The NIA has identified his brother-in-law as the primary suspect in that event, which is being investigated by Ottawa Police.
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