THE Conservatives have also added their voice to the demand for the federal government to designate the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi Gang of India as a terrorist organization under Canadian law.

Conservative Critic for Public Safety, Frank Caputo, in a letter to federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, noted: “The Bishnoi Gang’s activities lay the groundwork for listing it as a terrorist entity. As you know, they have taken credit for vast violence in Canada and abroad. The Gang’s activities include political shootings, extortion of South Asian Canadians and extreme violence. The Gang engages in these activities for political, religious and ideological reasons. Additionally, Gang members boast of such activities to intimidate other potential targets.”

He added: “I implore you to list the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity to provide law enforcement and all levels of government with the tools necessary to address the Gang’s activities. The designation would permit the government to push back against the Gang with financial, criminal and property sanctions.”

Caputo said: “Lastly, I ask you to consider the wide-reaching support for this designation. From BC Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, there is clear political consensus for the federal government to do so. This designation has also been discussed by law enforcement officials, who see first-hand the results of the Bishnoi Gang’s reign of terror in the South Asian community and throughout Canada.”

He added: “I therefore ask you to recommend to Cabinet that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Bishnoi Gang has knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in and/or facilitated terrorist activities as defined by s. 83.05(1) of the Criminal Code.”