Under mounting pressure for its botched-up and without "hard evidentiary proof" investigation on the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is now evading international media even as the government led by Justin Trudeau continues to work on its deliberate strategy of smearing India for domestic political gains.
The RCMP on Monday held a much-publicised media conference, stating that an "extraordinary situation" compelled it to speak about what its multiple ongoing investigations into the "involvement of agents of the Government of India in serious criminal activity in Canada" have discovered.
RCMP Commissioner Michael (Mike) Duheme alleged that investigations revealed that Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada leveraged their official positions to engage in clandestine activities and the information collected was then used to target members of the South Asian community.
It was widely expected that Duheme would provide substantial evidence to back the claims made by Canada's national police force. However, it never happened.
When approached by IANS to provide his insights into the complexities of the issue, Duheme responded through RCMP's Acting Media Relations Office with his colleague Camille Boily-Lavoie suggesting that RCMP spokesperson Brigitte Gauvi could be made available for the interview.
However, on Thursday, the RCMP backed out completely, insisting that they would not be able to accommodate the interview request and RCMP's statement on the issue remains sufficient.
The RCMP, which serves as the police of jurisdiction in Canada's eight provinces, three territories, and hundreds of municipalities, is already in an eye of storm over its failure to prevent growing violent extremism in the country.
On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took a dig at the RCMP and the Trudeau government for sitting on India's 26 extradition requests, including those of some hardcore Khalistani extremists and criminals who are also involved in creating ruckus in Canada.
"So far no action has been taken by the Canadian side on our requests. This is very serious. Also we find it very strange that the people we asked to be deported, on whom we asked action to be taken, we are being told - the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is blaming the Indian side - that these people are committing crimes in Canada for which India is to be blamed. So, this is a contradiction which we don't understand," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a weekly media briefing.
Ambedkar’s ideals reflect in PM Modi’s initiatives: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday said that B.R. Ambedkar, the key architect of the Indian Constitution and the country's first Law Minister, was a pioneer in building a socially equal India.
Tripura: One more held for ‘seditious’ comments on Pahalgam attack
Tripura Police on Monday arrested one more person for making “anti-national” comments on a social media post-Pahalgam terror attack, an official said.
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin announces three-day ceasefire in May to mark Victory Day celebrations
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a 72-hour ceasefire in its ongoing 'Special Military Operation' in Ukraine on account of the Victory Day celebrations, next month.
BJP's ally Tipra Motha Party hold protests in Tripura against Bangladesh embankments
The Bharatiya Janata Party's ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP), on Monday, organised massive protests against the construction of embankments by the Bangladesh government along the border with Tripura jeopardising Indian territories during monsoon.
India needs strong action to prevent Pahalgam-like attacks in the future: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday strongly condemned the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, asserting that India demands decisive action to ensure such attacks never recur.
Defence stocks surge over 9 pc as India inks Rs 63,000 crore Rafale deal
Defence stocks saw a strong rally on Monday, climbing over 9 per cent, as the government inked a Rs 63,000 crore deal with France to purchase 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
'Power projection': India inks Rs 63,000 crore deal with France to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets for Navy
India on Monday signed a landmark Rs 63,000 crore government-to-government deal with France to buy 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets which will give added punch to the Indian Navy, amid growing security concerns over China flexing its maritime muscle in the Indo-Pacific region.
From Kupwara to Kathua, people came out to protest: CM Omar Abdullah on Pahalgam attack
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Monday that for the first time, the people of the country are united, and this unity is needed to end militancy and terrorism.