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Fourth arrest during violent protests at Hindu temple in Brampton
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Fourth arrest during violent protests at Hindu temple in Brampton


Fourth arrest during violent protests at Hindu temple in Brampton

A fourth person has been arrested following protests that reportedly turned violent outside a Hindu temple in Brampton last weekend before spreading to Mississauga.

Peel Regional Police said in a news release that on November 8, officers arrested Inderjeet Gosal, 35, of Brampton, for assault with a weapon.

The man was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.

The arrest followed a series of clashes that broke out during a protest in front of the Hindu Sabha Mandir along Gore Road in November 3. After the first altercations in Brampton, the demonstration moved to the Westwood Shopping Center area in Mississauga, then to Airport and Derry roads.

Additionally, a Peel Regional Police officer was suspended after videos and photos posted on social media raised questions about his presence at the protest. Police confirmed the suspension but did not release the officer’s name, saying the off-duty officer’s involvement is being investigated under the Community Safety and Policing Act .

Videos of the protest circulating on social media show individuals using flags and wooden poles to hit each other as tensions escalated between the groups. Peel Regional Police investigated several offenses caught on camera, most involving physical altercations between protesters holding Khalistan banners and others waving India’s national flag.

Earlier last week, police arrested three other people suspected of being involved in these incidents. Dilpreet Singh Bouns, 43, of Mississauga, was charged with disturbing and assaulting a peace officer; Vikas, 23, of Brampton, was charged with assault with a weapon; and Amritpal Singh, 31, of Mississauga, was charged with mischief worth more than $5,000. Another person was arrested during the protests on an unrelated arrest warrant and later released.

Peel Police established a strategic investigation team to analyze hundreds of videos and continue the investigation. Authorities expect additional arrests as they work to identify additional suspects involved.

Leaders at all levels of government have condemned the violence, including Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford, who called the attacks on the temple “unacceptable,” emphasizing that all Canadians have the right to worship in completely safe.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says he will make a motion to cThe city council should consider banning protests in places of worship.

Police are asking the public to share any video footage of the incidents to aid the investigation. Submissions can be made via this linkand tips can also be provided anonymously through Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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