Canadian MPs voicing concern over Punjab internet crackdown receive ‘harsh’ responses
Global News
A handful of parliamentarians across party lines have voiced their concerns online as millions in Punjab were denied internet access during a search for a Sikh separatist leader.
A cross-section of Canadian MPs are calling out an Indian government crackdown in the state of Punjab, and those criticizing internet restrictions are receiving threatening responses online.
For at least three days, authorities in Punjab have restricted communications and the size of gatherings as authorities search for Sikh separatist leader Amritpal Singh. The manhunt comes a month after he led a violent storming of a police station, according to international media reports.
“As Canadian members of Parliament, we’re trying to ensure that there is some safety for Canadians who are visiting there,” Conservative deputy leader Tim Uppal said in an interview Monday.
“We raised this as a concern. And the response was quite harsh — a number of threats in there as well, and by people who have a very large following.”
The Edmonton MP was among a handful of parliamentarians, across party lines, who have voiced their concerns online this week — even as millions of people in Punjab were reportedly denied access to the internet.
His colleague, Conservative MP Jasraj Singh Hallan, who is the party’s high-profile finance critic, said he was “closely following the situation.”
The Trudeau cabinet has opted against commenting on the situation, with the office of Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly deferring to Global Affairs Canada
“We are monitoring the situation closely and remain in contact with Canada’s High Commission in Delhi and India’s High Commission in Ottawa,” wrote departmental spokeswoman Marilyne Guevremont.
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