Tons of of individuals attended a neighborhood gathering on Monday on the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., after its president, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was shot and killed.
Nijjar was shot simply earlier than 8:30 p.m. PT Sunday whereas in his automobile within the Sikh temple’s busy car parking zone after night prayers had concluded.
The 45-year-old had obtained threats due to his assist for a separate Sikh state in India referred to as Khalistan, in line with temple officers.
The World Sikh Group of Canada mentioned the Canadian Safety Intelligence Service and legislation enforcement in Canada didn’t adequately shield Nijjar, who was a goal of Indian intelligence.
On the gathering on Monday, the environment was tense and strained, with a number of individuals expressing concern over the protection of the Sikh neighborhood within the Decrease Mainland.
“He was a really good particular person, and he was a really in a position chief,” mentioned Prabhsharanbir Singh, a neighborhood member in attendance. “He was elevating problems with human rights and varied different Sikh points.
“That’s why everybody respects him, and out of his respect, I’m right here.”
Singh says he believes that Nijjar was focused on the gurdwara. There was a common feeling on the gathering that the Canadian authorities and police might have completed extra to forestall the killing from taking place.
“I believe the state and the safety equipment have to be extra proactive,” Singh mentioned.
CBC Information has contacted CSIS and the Consulate Common of India for touch upon Nijjar’s loss of life.
Federal Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino didn’t straight reply a query from CBC Information on whether or not Nijjar was identified to be at risk in Canada or in touch with CSIS.