In the ongoing investigation into the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Indian national has been arrested in Canada. Al Jazeera reports that Amandeep Singh has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Nijjar's death.
The arrest follows earlier reports made by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on May 3, when three Indian nationals, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Kiran Brar, were taken into custody in Alberta. They had been living in Canada as temporary residents for the past five years.
RCMP Superintendent Mandeep Mokar emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. "This investigation will not end here because we know that more people were involved in this massacre. Our top priority is finding them," Mokar stated.
Also read: Indian nationals face trial in Canadian court for Sikh leader's murder
Superintendent Mokar also suggested a possible link between the arrested suspects and the Modi govt in India. "All investigations into Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder point towards the Modi govt," he added. Canadian authorities and the Five Eyes Intelligence Agency have similarly implicated the Indian govt in the assassination.
The incident is part of a troubling pattern of violence targeting Sikh leaders abroad. Three days after Nijjar's murder, an attempt was made on the life of Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in the United States, which fortunately failed. Additionally, on November 9, 2023, Harpreet Singh Uppal and his 11-year-old son were killed in Vancouver, Canada.
The suspects arrested in Canada are originally from Punjab and Haryana. According to a US investigation, the Modi govt allegedly used Indian criminal and drug dealer Nikhil Gupta in the attempt on Pannu's life.
Despite mounting evidence, the Modi govt continues to deny involvement in these incidents. The international community awaits further developments as the investigation proceeds.
