'Creates climate of fear': Canada designates Lawrence Bishnoi's gang as terrorist entity

Canadian government has listed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as "terrorist entity" for creating a "climate of fear and intimidation," an official press statement said on Monday. The statement noted the gang's presence in the country and said that it was active in "areas with significant diaspora communities."

"Acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those that target specific communities to create a climate of fear and intimidation. That is why the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, announced today that the Government of Canada has listed the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code," the statement said.

"The Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal organization operating primarily out of India. They have a presence in Canada and are active in areas with significant diaspora communities. The Bishnoi Gang engages in murder, shootings and arson, and generates terror through extortion and intimidation. They create a climate of insecurity in these communities by targeting them, their prominent community members, businesses, and cultural figures. Listing the Bishnoi Gang will help Canadian security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies in combatting their crimes and making communities safer," it added.

The Bishnoi gang is alleged to have claimed responsibility for multiple shootings, including two attacks on comedian Kapil Sharma’s café in Surrey, BC, earlier this year.

A terrorist designation in Canada allows the federal government to freeze or confiscate assets, vehicles, and funds, while also providing law enforcement with enhanced tools to prosecute terrorist activities.