British Columbia Premier Calls for Terrorist Designation of Lawrence Bishnoi's Gang
Call for Action Against Gang Violence
David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia, has urged the federal government to classify the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization. This request was made on Tuesday and aims to address the rising extortion incidents associated with the gang across various provinces in Canada.
This appeal follows a public safety forum held in Surrey, which focused on the challenges faced by South Asian business owners. Local law enforcement has reported that members of this community are being threatened with violence, leading to extortion attempts linked to Bishnoi's group.
Lawrence Bishnoi, a gangster from Punjab, is currently incarcerated at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. He is implicated in numerous criminal activities, including allegations that Indian government agents collaborated with his gang to orchestrate violence in North America.
According to reports, Eby stated, “There are allegations that gangs in India are operating here in our province, and in other provinces, to intimidate and extort business owners.” He plans to write to Prime Minister Mark Carney, requesting that the Lawrence Bishnoi group be officially recognized as a terrorist organization in Canada.
Eby highlighted that the gang's activities span British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. He expressed concerns that current law enforcement capabilities might be inadequate to combat the pattern of transnational organized crime, emphasizing that a terrorist designation would empower police with enhanced legal tools.
“They need additional tools to respond to the fact that this is transnational organized crime,” Eby remarked. “This is more in the nature of terrorism than it is traditional crime. The community is terrified, and action needs to be taken.”
On June 13, the Surrey Police Service announced the formation of a specialized team to investigate extortion cases, following ten reports received over the last six months. Victims from the South Asian community reported being contacted via letters, phone calls, or social media, facing demands for money under threats of violence.
Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat, a liaison for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Surrey, advised against complying with such demands, stating, “Officers are working to prevent these traumatizing situations and to hold those responsible accountable.”
In India, the National Investigation Agency has previously claimed that Bishnoi operates a “terror syndicate” from prison, with connections to Canada through local associates. Additionally, Mumbai Police suspect his involvement in the assassination of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique and the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala on May 29, 2022.