Sikh Activist’s Killing: Arrests Renew Tensions

Photo Credit: Ben Nelms/CBC

Police have arrested and charged four Indian nationals in connection with the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, BC. The arrests bring significant implications for Canada and its relations with India.

Nijjar, an advocate for an independent Khalistan state, was shot and killed on June 18th, 2023, outside a Sikh cultural center. An independent Khalistan state would see the predominantly Sikh state of Punjab separate from India. The idea faces strong opposition from the Indian government.

Following Nijjar’s death, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Parliament “agents of the Indian government” executed Nijjar’s killing, sparking backlash from India. 

Police have arrested four men in connection with the incident. Karanpreet Singh, age 28, Kamalpreet Singh, age 22 and Karan Brar, age 22, arrested in Edmonton on May 3, were charged with murder using a firearm and conspiracy to commit murder. They have since been relocated to BC to stand trial. 

On May 11, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced the fourth member of the hit squad, Amandeep Singh, age 22, was already being held by police in Peel Region, west of Toronto, for unrelated firearms charges. Following his arrest, IHIT gained further evidence in the Nijjar case, and charged Singh with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Nijjar’s death. 

The Government of India labeled the claims “absurd and motivated.” 

Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma declined to comment on the arrests, stating they were Canada’s “internal” matter, according to The Guardian. The four men arrested have yet to be linked to the Indian government, although police have not ruled out the possibility. "We're investigating their ties, if any, to the Indian government," Mandeep Mooker, an RCMP superintendent, said during a press conference. 

"This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to finding and arresting each one of these individuals," explained RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul.

According to Reuters, the support of some Canadians for Khalistan has“long frustrated [the Government of India]”.  Supporters based internationally, like Nijjar, and other Sikh separatist activists, have been labeled “terrorists” by Indian officials.