Punjab
Canada closely following developments in Punjab, says Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly: Report
Toronto: Canada is keeping track of the developments in India’s Punjab and will continue to address the concerns raised by the community, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has said as Punjab Police continues the crackdown on radical separatist leader Amritpal Singh, said a report in the media.
In a response to Indo-Canadian MP Iqwinder S Gaheer in the House of Commons on Thursday, Joly said the Justin Trudeau government is following the situation in Punjab “very closely.”
She added that the Canadian government is looking forward to a return to a more stable situation.
Joly said that Canadians can always look forward to the country’s government to make sure that the concerns of the many members of the community will be addressed.
Gaheer said he has heard about the internet services suspension in Punjab and asked Joly to update the House about the developments in India.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi urged people residing outside India not to believe "inaccurate and motivated narratives" that are being circulated by some elements on social media.
"Authorities in Punjab are undertaking operations to nab a fugitive. Information regarding that operation is being shared by authorities concerned on a regular basis," the spokesman said in New Delhi.
The Punjab administration last week suspended internet and SMS services in the state following the police crackdown against elements of 'Waris Punjab De,' headed by the radical preacher.
Police in Punjab are still searching for Amritpal Singh.
Earlier on Wednesday Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the House of Commons: "We are looking forward to a swift return to a more stable situation." Canada has also seen a rise in anti-India activities recently by Khalistan supporters who have vandalised some Hindu temples.
On February 13, 'Khalistani extremists' vandalised a Ram Mandir in Mississauga with anti-India graffiti, which sparked a strong reaction from the Indian Consulate in Toronto.
"We strongly condemn the defacing of Ram Mandir in Mississauga with anti-India graffiti. We have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators," India's Consulate in Toronto had tweeted.
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