Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Hardeep Singh Nijjar (11 October 1977 – 18 June 2023) was an Indian-born Canadian Sikh separatist leader who was involved with the Khalistan movement, which calls for creating an independent Sikh state in India.[3]
Hardeep Singh Nijjar | |
|---|---|
 Nijjar in 2020 | |
| Born | 11 October 1977 |
| Died | 18 June 2023 (aged 45) Surrey, British Columbia, Canada |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Citizenship |
|
| Organization | Sikhs for Justice |
| Movement | Khalistan |
While the Indian government alleged that Nijjar was a "designated terrorist", many Sikh groups viewed Nijjar as an advocate for Sikh independence.[4] Upon India's request, International Interpol notices were issued against Nijjar, accusing him of being the leader of pro-Khalistan militant group, Khalistan Tiger Force.[5][6][7]
Murder and aftermath
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On 18 June 2023, Nijjar was sitting in his pickup truck at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia when he was shot and killed by two masked men.[8]
During the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi both met at the meeting. Modi spoke about about Sikh protests and Trudeau told Modi about the accusations that India had Nijjar killed.
On 18 September 2023, Trudeau publically accused the Indian government of being linked to the killing of Nijjar, while speaking in parliament. He told India to cooperate with the investigation.[9][10] The U.S. Ambassador to Canada, said that some intelligence related the murder was shared with Canada.[11] India's foreign ministry denied any involvement in Nijjar's killing.[12]
After these allegations, diplomatic relations between India & Canada deteriorated. Canada expelled an Indian diplomat, and India also expelled a Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move.[12] As of September 2023, the Canadian authorities had not made any arrests in connection with the murder.[13]
In May 2024, Canadian police arrested three people who are allegedly members of a hit squad which, investigators claim, killed Nijjar on the orders of the Indian Government. Three other murders are also being investigated as having a connection with the group.[14]
References
change- ↑ "Who Was Hardeep Singh Nijjar? Khalistan Terrorist at Centre of India-Canada Tussle — EXPLAINED". News18. 20 Sep 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 Sep 2023.
- ↑ "Why are some Sikhs calling for a separate homeland in India?". BBC News. 19 Sep 2023. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 25 Sep 2023.
- ↑ Singh, Kanishka (19 September 2023). "What is known about the murder of Sikh separatist leader in Canada?". Reuters. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ "Who Was the Man Whose Killing Canada Says India Instigated?". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
Yousifwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ Cite error: The named reference
RajNYTwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ Sakshi Dayal, Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Who was the Sikh leader murdered in Canada? Archived 21 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine, Reuters (September 19, 2023): “Nijjar later became chief of the militant group Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF)..., according to a 2020 Indian government statement."
- ↑ "Masked gunmen, an ambush, a chase: The execution of Hardeep Singh Nijjar". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ↑ "What We Know About Canada's Claims Against India About a Sikh's Killing". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Canada has Indian diplomats' communications in bombshell murder probe: sources". CBC News. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ↑ "'Shared intelligence' from Five Eyes informed Trudeau's India allegation: U.S. ambassador". CTV News. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Mogul, Rhea; Newton, Paula (18 September 2023). "India expels Canadian diplomat in tit-for-tat move as row over assassinated Sikh activist deepens". CNN. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ Paula Newton, Rhea Mogul (18 September 2023). "India expels Canadian diplomat in tit-for-tat move as spat over assassinated Sikh activist deepens". CNN. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ Dyer, Evan (2024-05-03). "Police make arrests in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar". CBC. Archived from the original on 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
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