Peel police officer suspended after video appeared to show him at protest while off duty
Peel police say three people were arrested and an officer was injured following several protests in Mississauga and Brampton Sunday afternoon, including one at a Hindu temple that turned violent.
In a news release published Monday, police said officers were called to an unnamed place of worship near The Gore Road in Brampton in response to a “trespassing complaint by a group of protestors.”
Police said the protesters then moved to two other locations in Mississauga, including one in the area of Goreway and Etude drives and another near Airport and Drew roads.
“Although these demonstrations occurred at three different locations, they appear to be related to one another. Several incidents between protestors and worshippers broke out,” police said in a statement, adding that one officer sustained minor injuries during one of the incidents.
Videos circulating online appeared to show people fighting outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir, which is located just off of The Gore Road, during a protest in the area where Khalistan flags, representative of the push for Sikh independence within India, were seen.
Peel police have said that they expected additional protests on Monday and that they will be “deploying additional personnel in order to maintain order and ensure the safety of our community.”
"Peel Regional Police will continue to support and work with our community partners and stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and safe space for the planned demonstrations,” Const. Richard Chin said in a video posted to social media.
Suspects identified
Police identified the suspects arrested on Sunday as 42-year-old Mississauga resident Dilpreet Singh Bouns, a 23-year-old Brampton resident -- identified only as Vikas -- and a 31-year-old man from Mississauga named Amritpal Singh. A fourth individual, who was not identified, was arrested on an outstanding unrelated warrant and released.
Police said an off-duty Peel police officer was also seen in a video circulating online taking part in one of the demonstrations. The unnamed officer has been suspended, pending an investigation.
“We are aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel Police officer involved in a demonstration. This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act,” a statement provided by Peel police on Monday states. “We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Indian counterpart have both issued statements about the incident, with the former saying the “acts of violence” were “unacceptable.”
“Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. Thank you to the Peel Regional Police for swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident,” Trudeau wrote.
For Narendra Modi’s part, he called the incident at Hindu Sabha Mandir a “deliberate attack.”
“Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said that she is “deeply disappointed” by the acts of violence.
“Our community prides itself on fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates our diverse population. Hatred in any form is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate any actions that limit our residents’ ability to live free from discrimination,” she said. “Free speech is a fundamental right we cherish as Canadians, but hate speech and harassment will not be tolerated in Mississauga or anywhere else.”
According to the group Sikhs for Justice, Khalistan supporters were protesting the presence of Indian officials who were visiting the temple and providing consular services.
The incident marks another low point between the two countries. Last month, Ottawa accused India’s home minister Amit Shah of targeting Sikh activists, which the Indian government has rejected. Previously, Trudeau said there were “credible allegations” that the Indian government was connected to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year.
With files from Bryann Aguilar
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How much do you need to earn to buy a home? Income requirements continue to ease
The average salary needed to buy a home keeps inching down in cities across Canada, according to the latest data.
Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
'My two daughters were sleeping': London Ont. family in shock after their home riddled with gunfire
A London father and son they’re shocked and confused after their home was riddled with bullets while young children were sleeping inside.
Smuggler arrested with 300 tarantulas strapped to his body
Police in Peru have arrested a man caught trying to leave the country with 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants strapped to his body.
Baby dies after being reported missing in midtown Toronto: police
A four-month-old baby is dead after what Toronto police are calling a “suspicious incident” at a Toronto Community Housing building in the city’s midtown area on Wednesday afternoon.
Parole board reverses decision and will allow families of Paul Bernardo's victims to attend upcoming parole hearing in person
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo will be allowed to attend the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) says.
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
'They squandered 10 years of opportunity': Canada Post strike exposes longtime problems, expert says
Canada Post is at ‘death's door’ and won't survive if it doesn't dramatically transform its business, a professor who has studied the Crown corporation is warning as the postal workers' national strike drags on.
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.