OTTAWA: Canadian police have arrested a 35-year-old Brampton resident on charges of assault with a weapon during a violent demonstration at a Hindu temple in the city, authorities said.
On Nov 3, a protest occurred at Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan.
The videos showed fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the temple.
Peel police responded to the altercation during the demonstration at the temple. As tensions between opposing sides increased, the demonstrations became physical and assaultive, a statement said on Saturday.
Police began investigating several offences that occurred during the demonstration, many of which were captured on video; including individuals using flags and sticks to assault people, it said. Investigators from 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau and Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) have arrested and charged Inderjeet Gosal of Brampton, Peel police statement said.
A SIT dedicated to investigating incidents of criminality during the Nov 3 and 4 incidents had since been formed. On Nov 3, the protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people and disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.
Gosal, is a Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) coordinator for Canada, Toronto Star reported. The US-based SFJ is banned in India. On Nov 8, he was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon. He was released on conditions and is to appear at Ontario court of justice in Brampton at a later date, it said.
The Sunday incident was condemned by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau who said “every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely”.
India had condemned the attack with an expectation that those indulging in violence “will be prosecuted”. In a statement, ministry of external affairs said Delhi remains “deeply concerned” about safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.
The relations between India and Canada had come under strain following Trudeau’s allegations in Sept last year of a “potential involvement” of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. New Delhi had rejected Trudeau’s charges as “absurd”. India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.
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