Sikh Liberal MPs meet Public Security Minister over the assassination of Surrey Gurdwara President

MP Sukh Dhaliwal says the death of a religious leader in the parking lot of a gurdwara in British Columbia prompted a meeting with Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino and members of the Sikh Liberal caucus.

Dhaliwal, representing the Metro Vancouver that rides Surrey-Newton, where Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination took place, posted a statement on Twitter saying Sikh members of the Liberal caucus met with the minister “over the tragic incident at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.”

Dhaliwal says caucus members were assured that the federal government is working closely with law enforcement to solve the crime and protect the Sikh community and Canadians.

Surrey detectives say Nijjar, 45, was shot in his vehicle on Sunday night as he left Gurdwara’s car park, and police are looking for two male suspects.

Mendicino said on Twitter that he was “disturbed” by the violence at the Surrey Gurdwara, and said all Canadians should be able to practice their faith safely and free from violence.

He says an RCMP investigation is ongoing and police will be there to support the community.

Neither Mendicino nor Dhaliwal were immediately available for further comment.

Nijjar, the gurdwara president, has been an outspoken advocate for an independent Sikh state of Khalistan in India, where he was charged with terrorism and conspiracy to assassinate a Hindu priest.

Nijjar’s lawyer, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, said Nijjar’s safety had been compromised after the Indian government offered a reward for his arrest last year.

Pannun denied that Nijjar was involved in any criminal or violent activity.