Latest news with #Bishnoi-affiliated
Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Brampton mayor ‘cautiously optimistic' about Bishnoi gang terrorist designation
OTTAWA - Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he's 'cautiously optimistic' about the chances of India's Lawrence Bishnoi gang being named as a terrorist group after meeting with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. Brown said he and representatives of Peel police met with the federal minister Wednesday after he asked police whether adding the Bishnoi gang to Ottawa's list of terrorist organizations would help with enforcement. British Columbia Premier David Eby sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this week asking him to designate the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization — something the government did with seven other transnational criminal organizations earlier this year. Brown said Peel police told him a terrorist designation 'would be helpful' and that the gang is involved in 'serious criminal activity.' 'We're talking about extortions and murders in our region. I think (Anandasangaree) took it seriously. I'm cautiously optimistic that he's going to make this designation,' Brown said. Asked about Eby's request Wednesday, Anandasangaree said national security officials 'continuously' review whether criminal organizations meet the legal threshold to be named as terrorist groups. RCMP have alleged Indian diplomats shared information about Sikh separatists in Canada with the Indian government and that top Indian officials then passed the information to the Bishnoi gang. Brown said the gang has become more brazen in Brampton and local police have spotted vehicles with Bishnoi-affiliated decals in the Ontario city. 'They have over 700 shooters worldwide. They meet every threshold that is required to be designated as a terrorist organization,' he said. 'And if we can give police this tool to allow them to better combat this threat in Canada, I think that, you know, is a no-brainer.' The Criminal Code defines terrorist activity as a violent act that is, in whole or in part, committed for political, ideological or religious purposes and is meant to intimidate a segment of the public. Lawrence Bishnoi has been in an Indian prison since 2015 and has more than two dozen criminal cases pending against him. He has been accused of orchestrating violent acts of extortion while incarcerated, using a cellphone. The National Investigation Agency, India's counterterrorism agency, said in 2023 that Bishnoi ran his 'terror group from jails in different states' in India and through an associate in Canada. Once a group is listed as a terrorist entity in Canada, any property owned by the group can be frozen by the government and law enforcement can deploy additional tools to probe crimes associated with financing, travel and recruitment. 'If there was someone who came by with a decal on their car or on their jacket that was of Lawrence Bishnoi, and we have seen that, it would give the police tools to embark on an immediate investigation,' Brown said. 'So sometimes the judicial process, because you're seeking warrants or authorization, doesn't move as fast as required to deal with the agility of these criminal networks.' -With files from Fakiha Baig in Toronto This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Global News
Brampton mayor ‘cautiously optimistic' about Bishnoi gang terrorist designation
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says he's 'cautiously optimistic' about the chances of India's Lawrence Bishnoi gang being designated as a terrorist group after meeting with the public safety minister Wednesday night. Brown says that he and Peel region police officials met with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree in Ottawa to discuss the 'scourge' of extortion and murders linked to the gang. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy RCMP have alleged Indian diplomats shared information about Sikh separatists in Canada with the Indian government and that top Indian officials then passed the information to the Bishnoi gang. Brown says that the gang has become more brazen in Brampton and local police have spotted vehicles with Bishnoi-affiliated decals. Anandasangaree said Wednesday morning that national security officials 'continuously' review whether criminal organizations meet the legal threshold to be named as a terrorist group. Story continues below advertisement BC Premier David Eby sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this week asking that the Bishnoi gang be designated as a terrorist organization, as the government did with seven other transnational criminal organizations earlier this year.
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Brampton mayor ‘cautiously optimistic' about Bishnoi gang terrorist designation
OTTAWA – Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says he's 'cautiously optimistic' about the chances of India's Lawrence Bishnoi gang being designated as a terrorist group after meeting with the public safety minister Wednesday night. Brown says that he and Peel region police officials met with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree in Ottawa to discuss the 'scourge' of extortion and murders linked to the gang. RCMP have alleged Indian diplomats shared information about Sikh separatists in Canada with the Indian government and that top Indian officials then passed the information to the Bishnoi gang. Brown says that the gang has become more brazen in Brampton and local police have spotted vehicles with Bishnoi-affiliated decals. Anandasangaree said Wednesday morning that national security officials 'continuously' review whether criminal organizations meet the legal threshold to be named as a terrorist group. B.C. Premier David Eby sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this week asking that the Bishnoi gang be designated as a terrorist organization, as the government did with seven other transnational criminal organizations earlier this year. -With files from Darryl Dyck and Nono Shen. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
