‘Deport all members': Canada's Conservative Party seeks terror tag for Lawrence Bishnoi gang

Indian Express

3 days ago

Canada's Conservative Party called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as a terror outfit.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre took to his X handle, and in a post wrote, 'Liberal open borders immigration allowed Bishnoi terrorists and gangsters to come to Canada and terrorize our communities. Conservatives call: Ban the Bishnoi terrorists; arrest and deport all its members now.'
Liberal open borders immigration allowed Bishnoi terrorists and gangsters to come to Canada and terrorize our communities.
Conservatives call: Ban the Bishnoi terrorists; arrest and deport all its members now.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) August 11, 2025
Poilievre's post on social media came after Canadian MP Frank Caputo wrote a letter urging Carney's government to declare the Bishnoi gang a 'terrorist organisation'.
He highlighted that the Bishnoi gang engaged in extreme violence and illegal activities for 'political, religious, and ideological reasons.'
'The Bishnoi gang's activities lay the groundwork for listing it as a terrorist entity. As you know, they have taken credit for vast violence in Canada and abroad,' he wrote in a letter to his cabinet counterpart, Gary Anandasangaree.
BREAKING
Conservatives call on the Liberals to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist organization.
Communities are being terrorized. It's time for the Liberals to act.
My letter👇🏼. pic.twitter.com/olUs09kAkz
— Frank Caputo (@FrankCaputoKTN) August 11, 2025
'I implore you to list the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity to provide law enforcement and all levels of government with the tools necessary to address the gang's activities. The designation would permit a push back against the gang with financial, criminal, and property sanctions,' he added.
This comes after an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the latest attack on Kapil Sharma's cafe in Canada.
No injuries were reported in the incident, but a post on social media, purportedly by gangster Goldy Dhillon, read, 'We called him but he did not hear the ring so action had to be taken. Now, if he does not hear, then the next action will be taken in Mumbai.'
Alberta Premier urges Canadian PM to designate Bishnoi gang a terrorist group
Earlier, the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, had echoed the same sentiments, urging Canada's federal government to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist group.
'The Lawrence Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal network responsible for violence, extortion, drug trafficking and targeted killings, including here in Canada. Its reach is global, and its intent is criminal and violent,' Smith said in a statement.
The Lawrence Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal network responsible for violence, extortion, drug trafficking and targeted killings, including here in Canada. Its reach is global, and its intent is criminal and violent.
We know that gang activity knows no boundaries and… pic.twitter.com/wYwdAx3pfT
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) July 15, 2025
The Alberta Premier also said that formally designating the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity 'will unlock critical powers, allowing provincial and municipal-level law enforcement agencies to access the necessary tools and resources needed to effectively disrupt operations and protect our people'.
'The time for action is now. Alberta's government is asking the federal government and Prime Minister @MarkJCarney join them in taking a stand and act to protect Albertans and all Canadians,' she said.
In June, British Columbia Premier David Eby had called for urgent federal action against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, stating that the group's alleged operations extend across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, particularly targeting members of the South Asian community.
Citing a pattern of transnational organised crime, he said that existing law enforcement powers may fall short, and a terrorist designation would allow police to use enhanced legal tools.