Canada cracks down on Bishnoi gang, lists them as Terrorist Entity

Ottawa/New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Canadian government has officially designated the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, granting law enforcement agencies more power to combat their activities. This decision comes after calls from Conservative and NDP politicians to take action against the gang, which has been linked to various crimes, including murder, extortion and intimidation.

Key Implications of the Designation

1. Freezing Assets: Authorities can now seize property and freeze accounts belonging to the Bishnoi gang in Canada.

2. Prosecuting Terrorist Offences: The designation provides law enforcement with more tools to prosecute terrorist offences, including those related to financing, travel, and recruitment.

3. Immigration and Border Control: The listing can also be used by immigration and border officials to inform decisions on admissibility to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Background and Context

The Bishnoi gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi from a prison cell in India, has been accused of targeting Canadians, particularly those advocating for a separate Sikh country, Khalistan. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had previously accused India of using the Bishnoi gang to carry out murders and extortion in Canada. However, New Delhi has rejected these claims and stated that it is working with Ottawa to stop the gang's financial flows to Canada.

Reactions and Expert Opinions

While the designation is seen as a significant step in combating the Bishnoi gang's activities, some experts believe it may not be enough to deter the gang. Wesley Wark, a senior fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation, notes that Canada's main issue lies in its lack of capacity in gathering criminal intelligence.