Peel Regional Police in Canada have suspended an officer seen in a viral video participating in a ‘pro-Khalistan’ protest rally that turned violent outside a Hindu temple in Brampton.
The cop was identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi.
“We are aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a demonstration,” Peel police spokesperson Richard Chin told Toronto Sun.
“This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete,” Richard Chin said.
Canadian police have arrested three people who were demonstrating against the attack by alleged pro-Khalistani supporters on devotees outside a Hindu Temple in Brampton city.
In a statement, Peel Police said: “Earlier today, Peel Regional Police were present at a demonstration held at a place of worship in Brampton. The event was subsequently relocated to two different locations within the city of Mississauga.”
“As a result of these demonstrations, three individuals have been arrested and criminally charged for their actions,” the statement said.
“Several acts of unlawfulness continue to be actively investigated by our 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau along with 12 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau,” read the statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday condemned the “deliberate attack” on a Hindu temple in Canada’s Brampton city.
PM Modi also slammed the attempt to “intimidate” Indian diplomats in Canada, calling the situation ‘appalling’ and urging the Canadian government to ensure justice.
In a strongly worded post, PM Modi said: “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
Last month, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and asked them to leave the country after Ottawa said it was investigating the Indian ambassador and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in connection with the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.
In a tit-for-tat move, Canada too asked six Indian diplomats to leave the country alleging that its police reportedly got hold of evidence that they claimed to be a part of an Indian government “campaign of violence”.
The Indian government had also decided to withdraw its High Commissioner in Canada after Ottawa’s fresh accusations against the Indian envoy and other diplomats in connection with a murder investigation which the Modi government called an act of “vote bank politics”.
