RCMP warns Bishnoi gang significant threat to Canadians, says terror tag will help disrupt its activities

Days after Canada formally designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has warned that the group’s activities pose a “significant threat to the safety and security of Canadians.”

The Canadian police said that the terror listing will bolster efforts to disrupt the gang’s operations.

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In an exclusive statement to The Statesman, the RCMP said, “The activities of the Bishnoi gang represent a significant threat to the safety and security of Canadians. The RCMP is committed to investigating all terrorism-related activities, regardless of the group or individuals involved.”

Following the designation, the RCMP said that anyone associated with the Bishnoi gang and involved in certain activities, shall be charged under the Criminal Code. “Additionally, individuals who knowingly facilitate a terrorist activity, as defined in the Criminal Code, can be charged under the Criminal Code, irrespective of a listing,” it said.

The RCMP further emphasised that the listing of Bishnoi gang as a terror group will “aid police to support criminal investigations and strengthen our ability to prevent and disrupt terrorist activity.”

Last year, Canadian authorities had alleged that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was acting as an “action arm” of the Indian government.

Speaking to The Statesman, the RCMP had accused the Indian government of using the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang to target Sikh separatists in Canada.

“The RCMP has collected evidence through continuous and comprehensive investigations, conducted in accordance with the highest standards in law enforcement. Investigations have revealed that some of the alleged criminal activities occurring in Canada were conducted by the Bishnoi gang,” it had stated.