Close X
Saturday, September 21, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Sikh referendum will ask if Indian diplomat was responsible for Nijjar killing

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Sep, 2023 12:15 PM
  • B.C. Sikh referendum will ask if Indian diplomat was responsible for Nijjar killing

Organizers of an unofficial worldwide referendum on Punjabi independence have added a question to the ballot in British Columbia asking if India's high commissioner was responsible for the killing of a prominent provincial Sikh leader in June.

The group Sikhs for Justice, which has been staging a series of non-binding votes in several countries on the independence issue, says the first stage of balloting in B.C. on Sunday attracted more than 135,000 voters.

It says the second stage will be held on Oct. 29 and will add a second question about whether High Commissioner Sanjay Verma was responsible for the "assassination" of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Police say Nijjar's death has not been connected to foreign interference.

The Sikh independence movement has angered India's government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing "strong concerns" to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Canada's handling of the issue.

Nijjar, who was a strong supporter of an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan, was gunned down outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., on June 18.

Homicide investigators have said they are seeking two "heavy-set" gunmen and the driver of a getaway car, a silver 2008 Toyota Camry.

The killing prompted protests outside Indian consulates and accusations of foreign involvement in the murder.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that Modi told Trudeau on the sidelines of last weekend's G20 summit in New Delhi that progress in the countries' relationship required "mutual respect and trust."

The statement said Modi expressed strong concerns about "continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada."

It said the Sikh movement was "promoting secessionism and inciting violence" against Indian diplomats, and called on Canada to work with India on what New Delhi said was a threat to the Canadian Indian diaspora.

Voting in the referendum on Sunday was held at the gurdwara where Nijjar was killed, and will be conducted there again next month.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Water consumption still high despite calls for water conservation

Water consumption still high despite calls for water conservation
The regional government says reservoir levels remain normal for the season, but water consumption is trending higher than the same time last year.  It says water consumption peaked on July 5th with 1.56 billion litres used, even though it wasn't a day designated for watering lawns. 

Water consumption still high despite calls for water conservation

B.C. firefighter numbers increase to more than 2,500, with 100 Brazilians here today

B.C. firefighter numbers increase to more than 2,500, with 100 Brazilians here today
BC Wildfire Service spokesman Cliff Chapman says about 500 international firefighters are already in B.C., boosting the ranks of the more than 2,000 provincial wildfire service personnel on the front lines battling hundreds of blazes.   

B.C. firefighter numbers increase to more than 2,500, with 100 Brazilians here today

Uncertainty at B.C. ports continues as possible deal emerges in labour dispute

Uncertainty at B.C. ports continues as possible deal emerges in labour dispute
A statement on the website of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada Local 502 says that a tentative agreement has been reached with the BC Maritime Employers Association, and the ILWU will hold an "emergency contract caucus" today to decide if the deal will be sent to the full union membership for ratification.

Uncertainty at B.C. ports continues as possible deal emerges in labour dispute

Liberal government looking for input on new law to improve safety in long-term care

Liberal government looking for input on new law to improve safety in long-term care
The Liberals promised during their 2021 election campaign to table a Safe Long-Term Care Act, after widespread COVID-19 outbreaks drew attention to the struggle many homes faced to provide basic care to residents.

Liberal government looking for input on new law to improve safety in long-term care

4 stolen vehicles recovered in Kelowna

4 stolen vehicles recovered in Kelowna
Police say they have recovered four stolen vehicles and arrested one male suspect after an operation in Kelowna. R-C-M-P say officers from its target team along with canine units executed a search warrant at a property in the 28-hundred block of Appaloosa Road on July 14th.  

4 stolen vehicles recovered in Kelowna

Parched conditions push B.C.'s wildfire battle south, as rain brings relief in north

Parched conditions push B.C.'s wildfire battle south, as rain brings relief in north
The BC Wildfire Service website reported 380 active wildfires Thursday with 22 listed as fires of note and 232 out of control. There have been 1,246 wildfires so far this year, burning a record 14,500 square kilometres.

Parched conditions push B.C.'s wildfire battle south, as rain brings relief in north