Canada Designates Bishnoi Gang as a Terrorist Entity

Ottawa: The Canadian government has formally designated the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist organisation, a move that criminalises providing support to the group and enhances the government's powers to combat its activities.

The gang, led by the currently imprisoned Lawrence Bishnoi, is notorious in India and abroad for its involvement in murder, extortion, and weapons and drug smuggling.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree stated that the designation will allow the government to take "stronger measures" against the group. Effective immediately, it is a crime for any person in Canada to knowingly provide support, financial or otherwise, to the gang or engage in transactions with its members. The decision also empowers border authorities to deny entry to individuals suspected of belonging to the organisation.

The move is widely seen as a significant step toward mending strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India. The Indian government has repeatedly called for stronger international action against the Bishnoi Gang, which has been linked to threats and violent plots against high-profile figures, including Bollywood celebrities.