Canadian Police Officer Suspended, Three Arrested After Temple Violence in Brampton
In a major development, three men were arrested and a police officer from Peel, Ontario, was suspended following violent clashes outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in Brampton on Sunday. The incident, which involved confrontations between demonstrators, including supporters of Khalistan, drew strong reactions from leaders in both Canada and India.
The Peel Regional Police confirmed that the suspended officer, seen participating in the protest while off-duty, is being investigated. Richard Chin, Peel Police media relations officer, acknowledged a viral video showing the officer involved in the demonstration.
Following the violence, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown announced plans to introduce a motion to ban protests outside places of worship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack, while Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, stressed the importance of safeguarding places of worship and allowing freedom of faith.
Those arrested include Mississauga resident Dilpreet Singh Bouns (42), charged with causing a disturbance and assaulting a peace officer; Brampton resident Vikas (23), charged with assault with a weapon; and Amritpal Singh (31) from Mississauga, charged with mischief. All three are expected to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton soon.
The police are deploying additional personnel to prevent further violence, with Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah stating that any further criminal activity will be met with strict legal action. Protests also broke out in nearby Mississauga, which police say were related to the initial clashes.
This incident marks another chapter in the rising tensions between pro-Khalistan demonstrators and Hindu communities in Canada.