Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian authorities have issued security warnings to two Sikh separatist activists, informing them that police have received intelligence indicating a potential threat to their lives, according to reports in Canadian media.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) sent “duty to warn” notices to Inderjeet Singh Gosal, based in Caledon, Ontario, and Manjinder Singh of Abbotsford, British Columbia. Both men are associated with efforts advocating the creation of an independent Sikh state in India.
Gosal reportedly received the notification on August 14 after being contacted by the RCMP. The police communication is understood to have described the threat as credible and serious, with officers warning that the danger could be imminent.
Canadian police generally use duty-to-warn notifications when they believe they possess reliable information suggesting that a person could face a threat to their life. Such warnings may not reveal the intelligence behind the assessment or provide specific details about a potential attack.
The two activists were reportedly told that there was no identified direct threat against their relatives or friends. However, police cautioned that people around them could potentially be placed at risk if an attack were carried out.
The notices also advised the men to exercise caution in their daily activities. They were warned that visiting locations associated with individuals involved in criminal activity could increase their vulnerability.
Gosal serves as the Canadian coordinator for referenda associated with the Khalistan movement, which advocates the establishment of a separate Sikh homeland.
The RCMP reportedly asked both recipients to confirm that they understood the warning and offered police support should they require assistance.
Nijjar case adds to security concerns
The warnings come against the backdrop of heightened security concerns involving Sikh separatist activists in Canada, particularly following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in 2023.
Nijjar, who had been involved in Khalistan-related activities, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey. His death became a major point of contention between Ottawa and New Delhi, further straining bilateral relations.
Canadian authorities have investigated alleged connections between the killing and criminal networks based in India. The case has also drawn attention to gang figures Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar.
In July, the US Department of Justice announced arrests involving 24 suspects in different parts of the world over alleged crimes connected to networks associated with the two gangsters. The cases reportedly included allegations surrounding Nijjar’s killing.
Bishnoi has been accused of directing the assassination.
The latest police warnings have brought renewed focus to the security risks faced by Sikh separatist activists in Canada, while the circumstances behind the specific threats against Gosal and Manjinder Singh have not been publicly detailed.
