Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has called on the Canadian federal government to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi gang — along with other groups involved in extortion and violence targeting Canadians of South Asian descent — as terrorist organisations under Canadian law.
In her statement, Locke said that such a designation would equip law enforcement agencies with stronger tools to combat organised crime and safeguard communities and businesses. She described the gang’s activities, including recent killings and extortion attempts, as acts of “economic terrorism.”
This appeal follows similar demands made earlier by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh, and several councillors, who wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Minister of Public Safety seeking the same classification.
Lawrence Bishnoi, a gangster from Punjab, is currently lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. He has been linked to multiple crimes, including orchestrating killings from inside prison. Canadian authorities have accused his network of fuelling gang wars and extortion rackets across the country.
Reports also suggest a rift between Bishnoi and his key aide Goldy Brar, who is believed to be managing the gang’s international operations. Brar, who gained notoriety after allegedly masterminding the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, is also accused of ordering a shooting at Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s residence in Canada last year.