‘This is important because Canada is a rule-of-law country’: PM Trudeau to arrest of 3 Indian men in Nijjar murder case
The Hindu
Canada's PM Trudeau emphasizes commitment to justice system and citizen protection following arrests in Nijjar murder case.
Canada is a "rule-of-law country" with a strong and independent justice system and a fundamental commitment to protect its citizens, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said, a day after three Indian nationals were charged with the murder of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.
Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, were charged on May 3 with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
"This is important because Canada is a rule-of-law country with a strong and independent justice system, as well as a fundamental commitment to protecting all its citizens," Mr. Trudeau said about the arrests at a Toronto gala celebrating Sikh heritage and culture. "As the RCMP stated, the investigation remains ongoing, as does a separate and distinct investigation not limited to the involvement of the three people arrested yesterday," Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) quoted Mr. Trudeau as saying.
He said that many in Canada's Sikh community are feeling unsafe following Nijjar's killing, adding: "Every Canadian has the fundamental right to live safely and free from discrimination and threats of violence in Canada."
The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Mr. Trudeau's allegations in September last year of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of 45-year-old Nijjar, a Khalistan separatist. India has dismissed Mr. Trudeau's charges as "absurd" and "motivated." The presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has long frustrated India, which had designated Nijjar a "terrorist."
After three Indian nationals were arrested in connection with the murder, Police in Canada said they had worked with US law enforcement agencies, without giving additional details.