Canadian police have apprehended three suspects in connection with the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, last June. The arrests, made in Edmonton, Alberta, involved three Indian nationals identified as Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar, and Karampreet Singh. Nijjar was fatally shot by masked gunmen outside Vancouver.
The slaying of Nijjar had previously caused a diplomatic dispute between Canada and India, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggesting “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the assassination. India, however, vehemently denied any connection to the incident and accused Nijjar of terrorism. In response to Trudeau’s remarks, India demanded the removal of 41 out of its 62 diplomats from Canada. Although tensions have somewhat eased since then, the investigation into possible ties between the detainees and the Indian government continues.
According to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, the three suspects had been residing in Canada as non-permanent residents. Mooker stated that the investigation is ongoing and authorities are exploring potential links to the government of India. Canadian authorities are also collaborating with their Indian counterparts, although the process has proven challenging.
The three individuals are expected to be transported to British Columbia by Monday to face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen of Indian origin, was a plumber and a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh homeland. Despite allegations of ties to terrorism, Nijjar consistently denied any involvement.
The Khalistan movement, which experienced a bloody insurgency in the 1970s and 1980s, has since lost much of its political influence. However, it still garners support among the Sikh diaspora and within the Indian state of Punjab. While the active insurgency ended years ago, the Indian government has repeatedly warned of potential resurgence by Sikh separatists.
2 Responses
The arrest of the three suspects in connection with the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is like solving a complex puzzle. Just as each puzzle piece fits together to reveal the bigger picture, the police investigation pieced together evidence and leads to apprehend the individuals responsible for the crime.
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” – Benjamin Franklin
This quote resonates with the post because it highlights the importance of collective action and empathy in seeking justice. In this case, the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, is a tragic event that calls for justice. The quote reminds us that it is not enough for only those directly affected by the crime to be outraged; it is crucial for everyone,