Peel police say 4 individuals had been arrested and an officer was injured following a number of protests in Mississauga and Brampton Sunday afternoon, together with one at a Hindu temple that turned violent.
In a information launch printed Monday, police mentioned officers had been referred to as to an unnamed place of worship close to The Gore Highway in Brampton in response to a “trespassing grievance by a gaggle of protestors.”
Police mentioned the protesters then moved to 2 different places in Mississauga, together with one within the space of Goreway and Etude drives and one other close to Airport and Drew roads.
“Though these demonstrations occurred at three completely different places, they seem like associated to at least one one other. A number of incidents between protestors and worshippers broke out,” police mentioned in a press release, including that one officer sustained minor accidents throughout one of many incidents.
Movies circulating on-line appeared to indicate individuals combating outdoors the Hindu Sabha Mandir, which is situated simply off of The Gore Highway, throughout a protest within the space the place Khalistan flags, consultant of the push for Sikh independence inside India, had been seen.
Police recognized the suspects arrested as 42-year-old Mississauga resident Dilpreet Singh Bouns, a 23-year-old Brampton resident — recognized solely as Vikas — and a 31-year-old man from Mississauga named Amritpal Singh because the suspects. A Fourth particular person, who was not recognized, was arrested on an impressive unrelated warrant and launched.
Police mentioned an off-duty Peel police officer was additionally seen in a video circulating on-line collaborating in one of many demonstrations. The unnamed officer has been suspended, pending an investigation.
“We’re conscious of a video circulating on social media which reveals an off-duty Peel Police officer concerned in an indication. This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Neighborhood Security and Policing Act,” a press release offered by Peel police on Monday states. “We’re investigating the circumstances in totality depicted within the video and are unable to supply additional info till such time that this investigation is full.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Indian counterpart have each issued statements in regards to the incident, with the previous saying the “acts of violence” had been “unacceptable.”
“Each Canadian has the best to apply their religion freely and safely. Thanks to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to guard the group and examine this incident,” Trudeau wrote.
For Narendra Modi’s half, he referred to as the incident at Hindu Sabha Mandir a “deliberate assault.”
“Equally appalling are the cowardly makes an attempt to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence won’t ever weaken India’s resolve. We anticipate the Canadian authorities to make sure justice and uphold the rule of legislation,” he mentioned.
Based on the group Sikhs for Justice, Khalistan supporters had been protesting the presence of Indian officers who had been visiting the temple and offering consular providers.
The incident marks one other low level between the 2 international locations. Final month, Ottawa accused India’s dwelling minister Amit Shah of focusing on Sikh activists, which the Indian authorities has rejected. Beforehand, Trudeau mentioned there have been “credible allegations” that the Indian authorities was related to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia final 12 months.
With information from Bryann Aguilar
