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<p data-start="140" data-end="399"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has called on the Canadian federal government to classify the Lawrence Bishnoi gang &mdash; along with any other groups involved in violence and extortion targeting the South Asian community &mdash; as terrorist organisations under Canadian law.</span></p>
<p data-start="401" data-end="624"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to Canadian media reports, Mayor Locke stated that such a designation would provide law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to dismantle organised crime networks and protect local residents and businesses.</span></p>
<p data-start="626" data-end="874"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Locke cited the recent wave of shootings, extortion cases, and violent incidents allegedly linked to the Bishnoi gang and its associates. She termed these actions as "economic terrorism," stressing their damaging impact on communities and commerce.</span></p>
<p data-start="876" data-end="1108"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is not the first such appeal. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh, and several Councillors recently wrote to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Minister of Public Safety, demanding similar action.</span></p>
<p data-start="1110" data-end="1390"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious gangster from Punjab, is currently lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Central Jail. Despite being behind bars, he continues to be linked to crimes both in India and internationally, including accusations of instigating gang wars and extortion in Canada.</span></p>
<p data-start="1392" data-end="1655"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bishnoi&rsquo;s global operations have long been associated with Goldy Brar, a key aide who gained notoriety following the assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. Brar also allegedly orchestrated an attack on singer AP Dhillon&rsquo;s residence in Canada last year.</span></p>
<p data-start="1657" data-end="1793"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are now reports suggesting a rift between Bishnoi and Brar, though no official confirmation has been issued regarding the fallout.</span></p>
<p data-start="1795" data-end="1929" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The growing international spotlight on this criminal network has intensified pressure on Canadian authorities to take decisive action.</span></p>
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Mayor urges Ottawa to label Bishnoi gang a terrorist group amid rising violence, extortion cases

Surrey Mayor Seeks Terror Tag for Bishnoi Gang

Mayor urges Ottawa to label Bishnoi gang a terrorist group amid rising violence, extortion cases

June 26, 2025 | 16:19 IST