Local police in the Lower Mainland are asking anyone threatened with extortion or acts of violence to report it as Ottawa accuses India of foreign interference and criminal activity in Canada.
“The RCMP’s announcement … advising of allegations of criminal activity connected to the Government of India occurring within Canada is deeply concerning to the AbbyPD,” said Sgt. Paul Walker in an Abbotsford Police Department statement released Monday.
“Not only are the lives of the victims or intended victims of these criminal acts affected, but the fear that these criminal acts create can adversely impact the lives of friends, family, neighbours, and communities, including the Abbotsford community.”
Earlier in the day, the RCMP warned the public about a rash of crimes such as coercion, extortion, and over a dozen threatening or violent acts, including murder, that are linked to Indian government agents.
The Mounties and other Canadian officials presented evidence to India over the weekend, but say New Delhi refused to cooperate.
Locally, the Abbotsford Police Department says it continues to assess and investigate reported incidents of extortion and violence.
“We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners, including the RCMP, to hold those accountable for crimes committed within Abbotsford. AbbyPD remains open to working with key community stakeholders to listen and collaborate in tackling violence and threats of violence in our community,” said Walker.
“Your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in maintaining the safety of our community,” he continued.
“The RCMP and AbbyPD are seeking the public’s assistance in reporting incidents of foreign interference by the Government of India. Anyone who feels threatened online or in person should report the incident, to their local police.”
The RCMP National Security Information Network can be reached by phone at 1-800-420-5805 or online at rcmp.ca/report-it.
“[We want] to assure our community that acts of violence are a priority for us.”
The federal government has expelled six top Indian diplomats — India’s High Commissioner is considered a person of interest in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year outside the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Surrey.
Global Affairs Canada said the six Indian diplomats and consular officials were sent a notice of expulsion “in relation to a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India.”
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin said Monday’s announcement was not about the Nijjar case specifically, but rather to inform the public and draw attention to the “breadth of criminal activity that is occurring in Canada, which is a grave concern to our public safety.”
“There’s a distinct investigation on the Nijjar case and there’s another distinct investigation on the national security side to see the connections with the Government of India,” added Duheme.
India has rejected the accusations as “absurd” and has said it is expelling Canada’s acting high commissioner and five other diplomats.