In a surprising turn of events, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a startling accusation, suggesting that the Indian government may have been involved in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. This revelation has sparked significant attention and discussions worldwide.
The Fatal Shooting
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was a wanted figure in India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. Nijjar, originally from Bharsinghpur village in Punjab’s Jalandhar district, had been declared an “absconder” by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in India.
Trudeau’s Accusation
During a recent statement, Prime Minister Trudeau stated that Canada’s national security officials had grounds to believe that “agents of the Indian government” played a role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He emphasized that Canadian security agencies had been actively investigating credible allegations linking the Government of India to the Canadian citizen’s murder.
Trudeau went on to express his firm stance on foreign involvement in such cases, describing it as an unacceptable violation of Canadian sovereignty. He underlined that such actions ran contrary to the principles that free, open, and democratic societies uphold. Trudeau also confirmed that Canada was collaborating with its allies to address this serious matter.
Cooperation and Concern
Trudeau called upon the Indian government to cooperate with Canada in uncovering the truth behind Nijjar’s killing. He acknowledged the concerns within the Indo-Canadian community and stressed the importance of not allowing this incident to change the fabric of Canadian society.
Background on Nijjar
Hardeep Singh Nijjar had been a figure of interest for Indian authorities for some time. In July of the previous year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for information leading to Nijjar’s arrest in connection with the killing of a Hindu priest in Jalandhar. The NIA had identified Nijjar as a key player in the conspiracy of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) to assassinate the Hindu priest.
This accusation by Prime Minister Trudeau has raised questions and concerns about potential international implications and the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nijjar’s death.
Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and why was he wanted by Indian authorities?
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force and was wanted in India for his alleged involvement in criminal activities, including the conspiracy to assassinate a Hindu priest in Jalandhar.
What accusation did Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau make regarding Nijjar’s killing?
Prime Minister Trudeau suggested that “agents of the Indian government” may have been involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
What is the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in India, and what was its role in this case?
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a central agency in India responsible for investigating and prosecuting terrorism-related cases. In this case, the NIA had announced a cash reward for information leading to Nijjar’s arrest in connection with the killing of a Hindu priest.
Why is this accusation significant, and what are the potential international implications?
The accusation by Prime Minister Trudeau is significant because it involves a foreign government’s alleged involvement in a crime on Canadian soil. It may have implications for diplomatic relations between Canada and India and could impact ongoing investigations.