Canada has officially designated the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization, a move supported by several political figures in the country. The gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi in India, has been implicated in various criminal activities, with Bishnoi allegedly orchestrating operations from a prison using a cellphone.
According to Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, the decision to list the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist group aims to ensure the safety of all Canadians, especially those targeted by the gang for acts of terror, violence, and intimidation. Anandasangaree emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting citizens and communities from such threats.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has accused India of leveraging the Bishnoi gang to carry out criminal activities, including murders and extortion, particularly against individuals advocating for the establishment of Khalistan, a separate Sikh nation. Despite India denying these allegations, it has collaborated with the Canadian government to disrupt the gang’s financial operations reaching Canada.
With the new terrorist designation in place, Canadian authorities gain enhanced capabilities to combat the Bishnoi gang, including the ability to seize assets and freeze accounts. This measure is expected to bolster efforts to address crimes that affect key members of the Indian community in Canada.
While some experts, like Wesley Wark from the Centre for International Governance Innovation, suggest that the terror listing may not dissuade the gang due to limitations in criminal intelligence gathering, the move signifies Canada’s commitment to tackling organized crime and protecting its citizens.