Canada Accused of Withholding Information on Killing of Khalistani Terrorist, Says British Columbia Premier
Amidst the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, the Premier of British Columbia province, David Eby, has accused the federal government of withholding crucial information regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. According to CBC News, Eby stated that everything he knows about Nijjar’s death is already in the public domain. However, he expressed frustration during a briefing with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director due to the lack of concrete information.
The diplomatic standoff between the two nations escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed in Parliament that India was behind Nijjar’s killing on Canadian soil back in June. Denying the accusation as absurd and motivated, New Delhi firmly rejected any involvement.
Eby strongly suspects that the government is deliberately withholding information that could help protect Canadian residents with connections to India from foreign interference. He further revealed that though Canada’s Public Safety Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, had reached out, adequate information sharing has not taken place.
Speaking at a media question-and-answer session after addressing local politicians at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference in Vancouver, Eby emphasized that the focus should be on protecting the criminal prosecution process to ensure accountability. However, in terms of community safety, there is a significant lack of information sharing.
Eby believes that Ottawa possesses vital information through its agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which could help address the situation effectively at the provincial level. He expressed his frustration, stating, There is a gap between the information that Ottawa has and the ability to communicate that information with provinces where we can actually make a difference from using it in terms of response to issues on the ground.
In an effort to bridge this gap, Eby suggested reforming the act that governs CSIS to enable the agency to share vital information. He asserted that only through trust and cooperation between the federal and provincial governments can progress be made.
Meanwhile, during a news conference in New York, Trudeau failed to provide any evidence supporting his claims. Despite repeated questions, he merely reiterated that there were credible reasons to believe India was linked to Nijjar’s death.
Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have resulted in both countries expelling senior diplomats, and India has temporarily halted visa services to Canada.
As the diplomatic standoff continues, it is crucial for both nations to engage in open dialogue and exchange information transparently to ensure justice and maintain effective cooperation in fighting terrorism.
