The Canadian Government on Monday issued a "terrorist tag" against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, listing it as a "terrorist entity." The tag is followed by claims from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; however, these have not been substantiated yet.
It stated that Lawrence Bishnoi hired the killers of pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allowing the Canadian Police to prosecute offences of the gang related to financing, travel, and recruitment. With this, any assets owned by the gang in Canada, whether property, vehicles, or money, can be frozen or seized.
Meanwhile, the gang is also facing a crackdown by the Indian authorities. Many of the self-proclaimed members of the Bishnoi gang have been recently killed or injured in encounters.
Bishnoi 'terror tag' reveals influence of pro-Khalistani groups in OttawaCanada's 'terrorist tag' on the Bishnoi gang shows the influence of pro-Khalistani Sikh groups in Ottawa. They have consistently alleged that the Bishnoi gang organised the killing of Nijjar and his associates, further claiming that it was at the instance of Indian agencies.
The recent development comes when India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand in New York. Earlier in 2023, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Canada had "credible evidence" of the role of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar in British Columbia in June of that year.
Anyone in Canada or Canadians abroad who knowingly deals with property owned or controlled by the Bishnoi group will be considered an offence.
An official government statement read, "It is also an offence to directly or indirectly provide property knowing that it will be used by or benefit a terrorist group. Immigration and border officials can now inform decisions on admissibility to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act."
Adding, "The Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal organisation operating primarily out of India. They have a presence in Canada and are active in areas with significant diaspora communities. The Bishnoi gang engages in murder, shootings, and arson, and generates terror through extortion and intimidation.
They create a climate of insecurity in these communities by targeting them, their prominent community members, businesses, and cultural figures."
Lawrence Bishnoi is currently in the Sabarmati Jail of Gujarat. Notably, his associates, Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara, are handling all the operations of the gang and claim to operate independently.
The three recent murders of businessmen in Canada are believed to have been committed by the Bishnoi and Brar Gang, and are said to be the reason behind the move.