In recent times, the simmering rivalry among criminal gangs has taken center stage, and its impact is reverberating in Canada. The latest incident to make headlines was the brutal killing of Sukhdool Singh, alias Sukha Duneke, a notorious gangster with ties to the Khalistan extremist movement, in Canada’s Winnipeg. Duneke’s murder is yet another grim reminder of the dangerous cocktail of crime, extremism, and international diplomacy that has thrust Canada into the spotlight.
Duneke, an associate of the Devinder Bambiha Gang, had fled to Canada in 2017 using forged documents, and he was wanted by Indian authorities for a litany of serious crimes, including extortion, attempted murder, and murder. His name appeared on the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) list of 43 wanted gangsters just a day before his demise, highlighting the urgency of his apprehension.
What makes Duneke’s killing particularly alarming is the web of international implications surrounding it. He was not just another gangster; he was believed to be an ally of the Bambiha gang and had links to the Khalistan extremist movement in Canada.
In the wake of Duneke’s murder, rival gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria separately claimed responsibility. Bishnoi, a well-known criminal with over 25 cases registered against him, including murder and extortion, is the head of the Bishnoi group. Meanwhile, Bhagwanpuria, once a close aide of Bishnoi, now heads his own gang and is notorious for his criminal activities in the Majha area of Punjab.
Another chilling instance of gang rivalry transcending borders was the gruesome assassination of Punjabi singing superstar Sidhu Moosewala in Punjab’s Sangrur district. Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, affiliated with the Bishnoi gang, claimed responsibility for this murder. This incident demonstrated that the tentacles of these criminal groups reach far and wide, causing concern for the safety and security of citizens in both India and Canada.
Of particular concern is the role of Canada as a safe haven for individuals with links to extremist groups. While Canada is known for its multiculturalism and openness, it has also become a destination for individuals with extremist ideologies and criminal backgrounds. The lax approach toward dealing with Khalistan extremist groups has raised eyebrows and, more importantly, created an unsafe domestic situation in Canada.
One prominent figure in this milieu is Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Brar is wanted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for murder and is listed among Canada’s 25 most wanted fugitives. His life-sized cutout is displayed alongside others at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges Canadian authorities face.
It is imperative that Canada takes a stronger stance against these criminal networks to ensure the safety of its own people and maintain international peace and security.
