Written by Ashley Joannou
Canadian Press
Published November 1, 2024 at 3:36 pm
1 minute read
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge ordered the creation of a buffer zone around one of the province’s largest Sikh temples on Saturday ahead of expected confrontations between protesters and Indian consular officials.
The Khalsa Dewan Association, which runs the Ross Street Gurdwara, says in court documents that it expects “intense protests” at the two “consular camps” scheduled for Nov. 2 and 16 after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police made allegations about Indian officials being involved in criminal activity. In Canada.
The Sikh community demonstrates outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver
Court documents say the camps give seniors of Indian origin an opportunity to meet with consular officials to complete administrative tasks, mostly related to their pensions, without having to attend the consulate in Vancouver.
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The order prohibits protesting, blocking sidewalks or intimidating anyone trying to enter the property within 50 meters of the roads surrounding the temple.
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Protests at the camps last year meant police officers had to use a “deception plan” to escort consular staff out of the gurdwara through a side door to avoid confrontations, court documents say.
& Edition 2024 The Canadian Press