Notorious Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Declared ‘Terrorist Entity’ by Canada
New Delhi: Canada on Monday (September 29) said that it has listed the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity for creating a “climate of fear and intimidation”. They have charged Bishnoi as targeting members of “significant diaspora communities” in Canada.
The statement by Canada reads, “The Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal organization 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. Listing the Bishnoi Gang will help Canadian security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies in combatting their crimes and making communities safer.”
“Acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those that target specific communities to create a climate of fear and intimidation,” an official Canadian statement added. This comes just over a week after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin held talks in New Delhi.
“Specific communities have been targeted for terror, violence and intimidation by the Bishnoi Gang. Listing this group of criminal terrorists gives us more powerful and effective tools to confront and put a stop to their crimes,” Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said.
With the addition of the Bishnoi Gang, there are now 88 terrorist entities listed under the Criminal Code in Canada.
A terrorist listing gives the federal government the power to freeze or seize property, vehicles and money, along with giving Canadian law enforcement additional tools to prosecute terrorist offences, including those related to financing, travel and recruitment, according to this official statement.
It is a criminal offence for anyone in Canada and Canadians abroad to knowingly deal with property owned or controlled by a terrorist group. It is also an offence to directly or indirectly provide property knowing that it will be used by or benefit a terrorist group.
The controversial Bishnoi is in Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail at the moment. He was arrested in 2015. In October last year, the Canadian police had made what BBC termed, a “sensational claim” over Bishnoi. They alleged that agents of the Indian government were using “organised crime groups like the Bishnoi group” to target leaders of the pro-Khalistan movement there.
The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
