Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian authorities are investigating the fatal stabbing of a Punjabi-origin social media personality in Ontario, after online posts surfaced claiming the attack was linked to her outspoken criticism of the Khalistan movement.
The victim, Nancy Grewal, 45, was attacked late on March 3 near Todd Lane in LaSalle, a community in Essex County close to Windsor. Police said officers responding to an emergency call found Grewal seriously wounded. Despite medical assistance at the scene, she later died from her injuries.
The LaSalle Police Service confirmed that detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the killing. Officials have not identified suspects or confirmed a motive, though investigators believe the incident may have been a targeted attack.
Reports by CBC News indicated that a social media account published a message in Punjabi claiming responsibility for the murder. The post allegedly suggested that Grewal was attacked for speaking against the Khalistan movement and religion, and included a warning directed at others who might express similar views.
However, journalists noted that the authenticity of the account and its claims could not be independently verified. Police have also declined to confirm any link between the online message and the crime.
Originally from Ludhiana in India, Grewal had settled in Canada years ago and had become active online, where she frequently shared opinions on political and social matters concerning the Punjabi diaspora. Her posts opposing the idea of a separate Sikh homeland had reportedly generated both support and criticism.
Family members said she had faced threats in the past. Her mother, Shinderpal Kaur, told media outlets that Grewal had received hostile messages from some individuals in the Windsor area who disagreed with her views.
The killing has unsettled members of the local Punjabi community, with many urging authorities to identify those responsible and ensure justice. Investigators have appealed to residents to provide any information that could help clarify the events leading up to the attack as the probe continues.
