The increasing incidents of extortions in the South Asian communities, has led BC premier to take another punitive action against perpetrators of violence in the community. Premier David Eby has written a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney requesting the Federal government to declare India based Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization in Canada.
In the letter he requested government to designate groups engaged in extortion and related crimes as terrorist organizations under the Criminal Code.
Eby said it’s an issue of huge concern in B.C., but also in Alberta and Ontario, where gangs are operating over the last two years, targeting law-abiding citizens and businesses. Other criminal offences, including murder, arson, assaults, drive by shootings, threats and damage to property are associated with this rise in extortion.
He says that formation of RCMP task force across Canadian cities to investigate these incidents and share intelligence amongst provincial and municipal law enforcement agencies, is a positive step. However, according to him more needs to be done. “While the ask force is a positive step, it is imperative that consequential Criminal code amendments are in place to support enforcement efforts.
Eby said that he has written to other ministers too in past for the need for establishment of a “Canadian version of the Rocketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act and/or Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statue.”
He further added that on February 15, 2025, Canadian government has announced listing of 7 transnational criminal groups as terrorist entities under Criminal Code. “British Columbia believes that this legal instrument should be applied to groups such as Lawernce Bihsnoi gang, engaged in extortion and violent crimes in multiple Canadian provinces. This is a complex and nationally impactful criminal issue deserving of a national criminal law response to investigate and prosecute those participating in, promoting and/or facilitating these crimes.”
Eby’s letter comes just days after a public safety forum took place in Surrey, B.C., last Sunday at Reflections Banquet Hall to address crime targeting South Asian business owners.
The forum, organized by Surrey businessman Satish Kumar, brought together business owners, police and elected officials to discuss the ongoing rise in threats and violence against the South Asian community in Surrey, and several other parts of Canada. In the forum a call was made for urgent action from all levels of government over a growing trend of extortion and violence against members of the South Asian community in Canada.
Kumar who is president of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Temple and owner of Reflections Banquet Hall, says his banquet facility and another business he’s connected to, Hub Insurance, have been targeted by gunfire three times in recent weeks.
“What should I do?” Kumar asked during a public safety forum he organized on Sunday. “We have to put more security everywhere to protect our businesses. They’ve already done a lot of damage.”
The Surrey Police Service says there have been 10 extortion reports in the city over the past six months.
Chief Const. Norm Lipinski says the department has launched its own dedicated extortion investigations team to focus on cases in the Newton and Whalley areas while also increasing patrols in a number of business areas in the city.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, who attended Sunday’s event, said the city is grappling with an alarming rise in violent incidents.
Kumar says he’s doing what he can to raise awareness on the issue but wants to see results.
“I don’t know what the outcomes are gonna be, but I want to make people aware.”
He has also announced a $100,000 reward for any information that might help solve any of the shootings or threats.
