Hundreds of Sikhs carrying Khalistan flags marched along 72nd Street in Surrey along the funeral route of slain Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara president and staunch advocate of Khalistan Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who is now being hailed as a great martyr by worldwide Sikh community, the latest in long line of Sikhs who have given their life for Sikhi. Ahead of Nijjar’s funeral, a large crowd of over 200 protesters from the Canadian Sikh community gathered outside Vancouver’s Indian consulate Saturday morning, accusing the South Asian nation’s government of being involved in the death of Nijjar. It is well known to police authorities and people in the community that a contract on Nijjar had been circulating for several weeks on an encrypted online site used to hire gang hitmen. A source told Postmedia so many middlemen would have been involved in arranging the murder that it may be impossible to track the person or people who plotted it.
By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada
SURREY – Hundreds of Sikhs carrying Khalistan flags marched along 72nd Street in Surrey along the funeral route of slain Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara president and staunch advocate of Khalistan Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who is now being hailed as a great martyr by worldwide Sikh community, the latest in long line of Sikhs who have given their life for Sikhi.
Nijjar was given a hero’s funeral Sunday at Surrey’s Valley View Funeral Home.
The large crowd also included former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum, who recalled his time with Nijjar.
“He was [so] full of energy. And we worked with him a lot … he was always working for the community. He was a really a community member,” McCallum told CityNews Sunday.
“I remember he used to pester me all the time to get a volleyball for the youth in the community and to widen the walkway so that people can get exercise,” McCallum told CityNews Sunday.
Nijjar was killed in what many in the community believe to be a targeted shooting linked to foreign interference, specifically the government of India and it’s agencies.
“It is a very, very sad day. Not only just for the community of Surrey, but literally for the whole world, to be honest. This type of thing should never happen. … It’s just a terrible situation,” McCallum said.
Ahead of Nijjar’s funeral, a large crowd of over 200 protesters from the Canadian Sikh community gathered outside Vancouver’s Indian consulate Saturday morning, accusing the South Asian nation’s government of being involved in the death of Nijjar.
Protesters who knew Nijjar, who was organizing the Khalistan referendum for an independent homeland in India prior to his death, described him as a “peaceful” man who was “loved in the community.”
In connection with the death, homicide investigators are still looking to identify two witnesses in connection with the incident.
Through the collection of evidence and in speaking with witnesses, The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said it has learned that two suspects, described as heavier set males, wearing face coverings, fled the scene on foot, southbound on 122 Street through Cougar Creek Park. It’s believed that the suspects may have had a vehicle waiting for them, in the area of 121 Street and 68 Avenue. It is believed the suspects and the vehicle may have been in that area in the hour proceeding the homicide.
Investigators are now calling on the public to assist in identifying witnesses. IHIT is still working to identify and speak with individuals that were at the Gurdwara or in the area on the evening on June 18. Specifically, those who drive vehicles with onboard cameras. Vehicles such as Teslas have excellent cameras that are capable of recording movements in their surrounding area, even if the vehicle is turned off and no one is inside.
“We believe that not only may the occupants of these vehicles have been witnesses to the homicide of Mr. Nijjar, but the vehicle itself may have recorded critical evidence that could help advance our investigation,” says Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of IHIT. “There have been rumors circulating indicating two men were arrested in relation to this murder. I can confirm that at this time, no arrests have been.”
IHIT is asking anyone with information regarding the investigation, or anyone with dash-camera video who was in the area of 122 Street, in the parking lot of the Gurdwara or in the area of 121 Street and 68 Avenue, between 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said it will also liaise with Canada’s spy agency regarding Nijjar’s murder.
But neither IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti nor Surrey RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards would comment publicly whether they knew of any prior threats to Nijjar’s safety.
Nijjar, 45, was leaving the gurdwara at 7050 120th St. just before 8:30 p.m. when he was shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His New York lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun told Postmedia that Nijjar called him Saturday and relayed that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service had warned him days earlier that threats had been made against him.
Pannun’s name was also mentioned by CSIS, according to Nijjar, who was supposed to meet the intelligence agent Tuesday to get more information. He was gunned down Sunday before he had the opportunity to meet the agent.
“He said that he’s going to update me once he speaks to them,” said Pannun, who blames the Indian government for the high-profile separatist leader’s slaying.
It is well known to police authorities and people in the community that a contract on Nijjar had been circulating for several weeks on an encrypted online site used to hire gang hitmen.
A source told Postmedia so many middlemen would have been involved in arranging the murder that it may be impossible to track the person or people who plotted it.
Pierotti said investigators “understand there’s a lot of speculation as to the motive of this homicide. Well, we are dedicated to learning the facts and letting the evidence lead our investigation.
“We are aware that many people were present at the time of the shooting. It’s important that investigators speak to every person who was a witness. Anyone who has yet to speak to police is asked to please contact authorities immediately,” he said, adding that they are also looking for dashcam video in the area both before and after the murder.
Asked specifically about what Nijjar’s lawyer had said about CSIS, Pierotti told Postmedia, “if CSIS has information that we can share then we certainly will.”
“I can’t confirm whether we have (spoken to CSIS) or not at this point. That makes up part of our active investigation,” Pierotti said. “At this time, we’re driven by the evidence, and we’re working hard to speak to every person and collect the facts of this case. And we’ll determine the motive that way.”
Edwards also said he could not comment on whether there had been threats. But he said a fatal shooting at a place of worship was particularly disturbing and would get all the resources necessary to solve the case, reported Postmedia.
“This was a shocking and very public act of violence against a well-known community member and gurdwara president. In homicide investigations, you follow the evidence to piece together what happened and why it happened,” he said.
Nijjar also told his lawyer that he had heard from community members that “there are people in Vancouver who are trying to procure arms or weapons to kill.”
