Canadian police have arrested three suspects in the slaying of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last June. The three suspects, identified as Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar, and Karampreet Singh, were Indian nationals living in Canada as non-permanent residents. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously stated that there were allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing, sparking a diplomatic feud between Canada and India. The three suspects’ ties to the Indian government are currently being investigated.
Nijjar, who was a citizen of Canada, was killed by masked gunmen outside Vancouver. He was a leader in the Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh homeland. The Khalistan movement was once strong but has lost much of its political power. Despite allegations linking Nijjar to terrorism, he had denied any ties to such activities. The movement faced a government crackdown in the 1970s and 1980s, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people, including prominent Sikh leaders.
The three suspects arrested in connection with Nijjar’s killing are facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Canadian authorities are working with counterparts in India to investigate possible ties to the Indian government. This collaboration has been challenging, according to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul. Tensions between Canada and India escalated last year when India ordered Canada to remove a significant number of its diplomats. While tensions have somewhat eased, the investigation into Nijjar’s murder continues.
The Indian government had accused Nijjar of links to terrorism but denied any involvement in his killing. India had taken offense to Trudeau’s comments suggesting Indian involvement and demanded the removal of Canadian diplomats from the country. The ongoing investigation into the suspects’ ties to the Indian government is critical in determining the motives behind Nijjar’s slaying and whether there was any state involvement. The Khalistan movement has supporters in Punjab, India, and among the Sikh diaspora overseas, despite the decline in its political power.
The arrests of the three suspects marked a significant development in the investigation into Nijjar’s killing. The suspects, who had been living in Canada as non-permanent residents, are believed to have played a role in the murder of the Sikh separatist leader. The slain leader was a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement and had been targeted by masked gunmen outside Vancouver. The investigation into the suspects’ possible ties to the Indian government highlights the complexities of the case and the diplomatic implications it may have on relations between Canada and India.
The cooperation between Canadian and Indian authorities in the investigation has been challenging, with both sides working to uncover the truth behind Nijjar’s killing. The allegations of Indian involvement made by Trudeau last year had escalated tensions between the two countries, but efforts are being made to address the situation. The Khalistan movement, once a powerful force seeking an independent Sikh homeland, continues to have supporters despite facing government crackdowns in the past. The resolution of the case and the potential ties to the Indian government will shed light on the motives behind Nijjar’s assassination and bring closure to those affected by his death.
