Ahead of Republic Day celebrations at India’s missions in Canada, New Delhi has requested Ottawa to make sure the safety of its diplomatic premises on January 26 as a result of risk of protests by pro-Khalistan parts.
This would be the first time that nationwide celebrations will probably be organized on the missions, together with flag-hoisting ceremonies, since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said within the House of Commons on September 18 that there have been “credible allegations” of a possible hyperlink between Indian brokers and the killing of pro-Khalistan determine Hardeep Singh Nijjar, thought-about a terrorist in India, on June 18 in Surrey, British Columbia.
Concerns over safety persist since protests over the arrest of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh in March final 12 months had subsequently led to an illustration on the High Commission. On March 23, 2023, the protesters had crossed over to the aspect of the road the place the High Commission is positioned and shook its fence and used two flash bangs close to the perimeter.
The National Investigation Agency had subsequently filed a cost sheet in June, naming Amarjot Singh, Amritpal Singh’s brother-in-law for main the protest the place the smoke bombs have been hurled into the High Commission. While the Ottawa Police Service had investigated the incident, no arrests have been reported.
Since Nijjar’s homicide, the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has additionally raised the rhetoric in opposition to Indian officers in Canada. They used posters with the phrase ‘Wanted’ beneath the pictures and names of India’s most senior diplomats in Canada – its High Commissioner to Ottawa and Consul Generals in Vancouver and Toronto. Several temples have been additionally focused and these posters have been pasted on their partitions or gates. Protests have been additionally held in December at consular camps organized by India’s missions in Canada.