India, Canada row escalates
NEW DELHI, Sept 21: India today announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens in view of “security threats” faced by its High Commission and Consulates in Canada, amid an escalating diplomatic row over Ottawa’s allegations relating to the killing of a Khalistani separatist on Canadian soil.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the decision will include Canadian visa applicants in third countries even as he said Canada must act against the pro-Khalistani elements operating from its territory.
He said all categories of visas have been suspended.
India is temporarily unable to process visa applications from Canada because of the “security threats” faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada, Bagchi said at a media briefing.
“You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada. It has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and Consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications,” he said.
Bagchi said the situation will be reviewed regularly.
“The issue is not about travel to India. Those who have valid visas and documents like OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards are free to travel to India,” he said.
“The issue is the incitement of violence, the inaction by the Canadian authorities, creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our High Commission and Consulates. That’s making us temporarily stop the issuance of visas or providing visa services,” he said.
“We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis,” Bagchi said.
India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.
Earlier in the day, a private agency hired by India to carry out the initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians put out a note on its website on suspension of visa services due to “operational reasons”. However, the note was withdrawn within hours and then again it was put up online.
The agency, BLS International, also informed the stock exchanges that it had suspended India visa services in Canada with immediate effect.
India and Canada are embroiled in a diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. The row erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing.
India on Tuesday rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case.
In reflection of hardening of its position, India on Wednesday advised all its nationals living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise “utmost caution” in view of growing anti-India activities and “politically-condoned” hate crimes as well as “criminal violence” in that country.
At the media briefing, Bagchi also said that there was a degree of “prejudice” in Trudeau’s allegations against India.
He said Canada did not share any specific information with India on the case. The India-Canada ties were reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau Government is not addressing its genuine concerns. (PTI)
Sukha Duneke killed in Canada
CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI, Sept 21: Gangster Sukhdul Singh alias Sukha Duneke, one of Punjab’s most wanted criminals, was killed in the Canadian city of Winnipeg by unidentified people, sources said today.
“It is believed to be the result of inter-gang rivalry,” a source said.
The killing of the Canada-based gangster, who had at least 18 cases against him including those for murder, attempt to murder and robbery, took place on Wednesday night Canada time, the sources said.
Hailing from Duneke Kalan village in Punjab’s Moga district, the gangster fled to Canada in December 2017, official sources said.
An active member of the Davinder Bambiha gang, Duneke was closely associated with Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Arsh Dalla, gangster Lucky Patial, Malaysia-based gangster Jackpal Singh alias Lali and other criminals.
The dreaded gangster was managing the activities of the gang from foreign soil and was also involved in running an extortion racket, targeted killings of rival gang members in Punjab and neighbouring areas through his local contacts and managing the network of his foreign-based associates, the sources said.
In the last few months, the number of extortion calls made by Duneke had increased considerably in Punjab and neighbouring areas, they added.
In January, two of Duneke’s associates — Kulwinder Singh alias Kinda and Paramjeet Singh Pamma — were arrested by the Counter-Intelligence wing (Bathinda) and three pistols and cartridges seized from their possession.
The two men were part of the extortion racket run by Duneke.
After his father died in 1990, Duneke got a peon’s job at the Moga Deputy Commissioner’s office on compassionate ground. During the eight years he continued with the job, he became addicted to drugs, the sources said.
A lookout circular was issued against Duneke in 2022.
His name had also figured in connection with the killing of international Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian in March last year. He was accused of arranging the shooters for the killing.
Duneke’s name also cropped up following the killing of two rival gang members — Manpreet Singh and Vicky Singh — by the shooters of the Bambiha gang in January 2022. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
