Title: Canadian Police Arrest Sikh Youths for Possession of Firearms in Brampton

Subtitle: Incident Fuels Tensions Amidst India-Canada Diplomatic Dispute

Published On: Oct 6, 2023

Canadian police have successfully apprehended a group of eight Sikh youths, aged between 19 and 26, for the possession of loaded, prohibited, or restricted firearms in Brampton city, located in the Ontario province.

The Peel Regional Police received reports of shots being fired in the vicinity of Donald Stewart Road and Brisdale Drive in Brampton on the night of October 2. Acting swiftly, the police, assisted by the Tactical Unit, successfully extracted and arrested eight individuals from the premises identified in the reports.

Fortunately, no injuries were suffered during the operation, bringing relief to local residents who may have feared for their safety.

It is important to note that this incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tension between India and Canada. These tensions are a result of the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. The incident has added fuel to the diplomatic fire between the two nations, with implications for their respective relations.

In response to the reports, officers from the Criminal Investigation Bureau executed a Criminal Code Search Warrant, resulting in the seizure of a 9mm Beretta firearm the following day.

The individuals charged with the possession of a “Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm” have been identified as Jagdeep Singh (22), Ekamjot Randhawa (19), Manjinder Singh (26), Harpreet Singh (23), Ripanjot Singh (22), Japandeep Singh (22), and Lovepreet Singh (26), all hailing from Brampton. Additionally, Rajanpreet Singh (21) faces charges of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition, in addition to the possession of a loaded, prohibited, or restricted firearm.

All those apprehended were presented for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

These events have further exacerbated the already tense bilateral relationship between Canada and India, triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of potential Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing. India has vehemently rejected these charges as “absurd” and “motivated.” In light of their concerns, India has also expressed worries regarding the safety of its diplomats and diplomatic premises within Canada.

The arrest of the Sikh youths and the ongoing diplomatic dispute have generated significant interest in the public, emphasizing the complexities of the situation.

As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to shed more light on both the possession of firearms by the Sikh youths and the underlying tensions between India and Canada.

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