Top Mountie urges Sikh community to come forward as RCMP pushes ahead on India probe
Canada alleges Indian agents tied to murders, extortion, intimidation and coercion
The head of the RCMP is urging members of the Sikh community to come forward as police investigate allegations linking the Indian government to acts of violence on Canadian soil.
On Monday, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme publicly claimed that Indian government agents have been involved in "widespread" violence in Canada, including homicides.
During an unusual long weekend press conference, Duheme alleged that Indian diplomats and consular officials in Canada are connected to murders, as well as acts of extortion, intimidation, and coercion targeting Canadians and residents. He emphasized the need for the RCMP to act swiftly to disrupt these networks, which he described as posing a "significant threat to public safety in our country."
In a Tuesday interview with Radio-Canada, Duheme encouraged anyone with relevant information to step forward. "If people come forward, we can help them, and I ask them to come forward if they can," he said. "People come to Canada to feel safe, and our job as law enforcement is to ensure they are living in a secure environment."
When asked if members of the Indian diaspora should be concerned for their safety, Duheme expressed hope that they would "have trust and confidence in the police jurisdiction."
Assistant RCMP Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin provided updates during Monday's press conference, revealing that eight individuals have been charged with homicide in Canada and 22 others with extortion. Gauvin also stated that since September 2023, the RCMP has warned 13 Canadians of potential threats or harassment from Indian agents, with some receiving multiple threats.
Earlier on Monday, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats. India responded by expelling six Canadian diplomats, giving them one week to leave the country.
New Delhi rejected the RCMP's accusations as "preposterous imputations" and accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of pursuing a "political agenda" focused on "vote-bank politics," referring to the mobilization of specific community voting blocs.
